Vaccine Clinic Opens In Remote Northern Ontario Despite Power Outage & -36 C Weather

Despite treacherous conditions and a power outage, an Ontario vaccine clinic in a remote fly-in community was able to forge ahead despite the obstacles.

Joshua McNamara, public relations officer at the Ornge air ambulance service, told Narcity that on February 9, "upon landing in Nibinamik First Nation, the Vaccination Team identified a power outage in the community."

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As lighting inside the clinic was affected, the team used lanterns, headlamps, and flashlights to begin preparing for the clinic. Joshua McNamara

To make matters even more challenging, temperatures had dropped to -36 C.

The power outage lasted approximately one hour and when power was returned, the team was able to immediately initiate operations at the clinic. 

Because of the valiant efforts, vaccinations continued throughout the day uninterrupted. 

"We thank all community members for their patience and for attending the clinic to be vaccinated," said McNamara.

In addition to providing air transportation services in Ontario's remote communities, Ornge is helping residents in these areas access COVID-19 vaccines. 

Over the next three months, vaccination teams will travel with Ornge to 31 northern, remote Nishnawbe Aski Nation communities and Moosonee to administer the vaccine to those who wish to get it.

To date, Ontario has administered a total of 442,441 doses of COVID-19 vaccines.