Canada has reached a vaccination rate of 71 per cent of the population now fully vaccinated, shows the latest health data, thanks to vax vans, mobile clinics and pop-up shots in community centres, arenas and churches.

In Ontario, that number is nearly two million people, according to the latest population figures, and based on a vaccination rate of 83 per cent of the population fully vaccinated.

The Northwestern Health Unit, which covers a large area west of Thunder Bay to the Manitoba border put out a public statement saying the Ontario Ministry of Health calls are intended to help answer questions and ensure unvaccinated residents know how and where to get vaccinated.

“Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) wants to inform the public that these calls are legitimate and urges the public to take the opportunity to gain information about the vaccine and to make an appointment for their shot,” the Oct.

The Ontario Ministry of Health confirms the calls are part of a vaccine outreach campaigns by the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre and are targetting anyone with a health card — but without a vaccination.

“The Ministry of Health has the authority under section 37(1)(c) of the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 to use and link the information from these databases for planning and delivering the COVID-19 vaccination program.

Ottawa, for example, is the first health region in Ontario to hit a rate of 90 per cent fully vaccinated rate.