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3/3 Dr. Gemmill also addressed potential concerns about the safety of the vaccine, given the speed of its development. "The clinical trials have been conducted on tens of thousands of people," he said. "Millions, since its licensing, have already received it. We are not hearing that there are safety problems with this vaccine." "(Vaccine development) was fast, but they were able to piggy-back on a technology that had been developed for other purposes, and it worked." The health unit has already submitted its completed COVID-19 vaccination program to the provincial health ministry. The program details their plans for vaccine distribution over the next few months. In the meantime, Dr. Gemmill continues to urge people to respect the stay-at-home orders issued by the provincial government, to keep people uninfected until they are vaccinated. "The virus is still present everywhere, and it can have significant complications like hospitalization," he said. "Never forget that we are only two or three degrees of separation away from someone vulnerable." Social gatherings banned by the stay-at-home order do not have to be organized or large gatherings, Dr. Gemmill pointed out. "Gatherings can be as simple as a pickup game of some sport. The province of Ontario is asking you to stay home." He encouraged anyone who wants to socialize to do it virtually. "Please don't get together for coffee or beer unless it's by Zoom," Dr. Gemmill said. "Even birthday parties should be done remotely now. It's up to us all to take action so that others do not become ill." As of January 27, there are 89 active cases of COVID-19 in the health unit's region, including 65 in Kawartha Lakes, 19 in Northumberland, and 5 in Haliburton. Comments