News Release
November 24, 2021

This Black Friday and all weekend, Team Toronto’s Vax The Holidays campaign is operating dozens of COVID-19 vaccine clinics in malls and community settings across the city. From Thursday, November 25 to Saturday, November 27, these walk-in clinics will offer first and second doses to anyone born in 2009 and earlier, and third doses based on eligibility.

The COVID-19 vaccine is one of the best deals available on Black Friday. The vaccine is free, it is safe, and public health officials are clear that it helps provide priceless protection against this deadly virus.

Shoppers who gather at the Lawrence Allen Centre, Stockyards Village and Yonge Sheppard Centre can take advantage of Black Friday sales, while taking care of their health by popping into the onsite COVID-19 vaccine clinics.

Residents can also get vaccinated at a number of convenient community locations, including schools — L’Amoureaux Collegiate Institute, Monsignor Percy Johnson Catholic Secondary School, Thistletown Collegiate Institute, West Humber Collegiate Institute and York University – and the following community hubs:

  • Broadlands Community Centre
  • Canoe Landing Community Centre
  • Dawes Road Library
  • Etobicoke Civic Centre
  • Lambton Park Community Centre
  • North Kipling Community Centre
  • O’Connor Community Centre
  • Oriole Community Centre
  • Pelmo Park Community Centre
  • St. Alban’s Club
  • St. Margaret’s Church
  • Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre

A full list of Vax The Holidays community-based clinic locations and operating hours can be found on the City of Toronto’s COVID-19: How to Get Vaccinated webpage

As progress is made toward Team Toronto’s target of having 90 per cent of residents 12  years of age and older fully vaccinated, there are still thousands of residents in this group that are eligible for their first, second or third dose, who are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

These Vax The Holidays clinics are focused on residents 12 and older right now because we still have to make progress on that front as well.

Due to the demand we’ve seen for kids’ vaccine, we are putting all available doses right now in our five immunization clinics, school clinics, pharmacies and doctors’ offices.

Yesterday, more than 28,000 COVID-19 vaccine appointments at City-run immunization clinics for five- to 11-year-old children were booked quickly after going live in the provincial booking system. Late yesterday, an additional 17,000 appointments were made available. As of 5:45 p.m. yesterday, 63.5 per cent of appointments were booked.

All Toronto children who are turning five years old by the end of 2021 (born in 2016) are now eligible to book an appointment. Appointments can be booked by visiting the City’s COVID-19 webpage and clicking the blue button or by calling the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833-943-3900. For more information and to book an appointment see here

Residents eligible for a third (booster) dose include:

  • Anyone born in 1951 or earlier, at least six months after the second dose
  • Vulnerable, older adults in congregate settings
  • Individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised
  • Health care workers
  • First Nations, Inuit and Métis adults
  • People who received a Viral Vector vaccine (two doses of AstraZeneca or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson/Janssen)

City-run clinics at Cloverdale Mall, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Mitchell Field Arena, Scarborough Town Centre and Woodbine Mall offer first, second and third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as the influenza vaccine. Hours are:

  • Thursday, November 25 – 2 to 8 p.m.
  • Friday, November 26 – 2 to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, November 27 – 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, November 28– 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Monday, November 29 – closed
  • Tuesday, November 30 – 2 to 8 p.m.
  • Wednesday, December 1 – 2 to 8 p.m.
  • Thursday, December 2 – 2 to 8 p.m.
  • Friday, December 3 – 2 to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 4 – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 5 – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

These clinics are by appointment only and can be arranged through the provincial booking system 

A health card is not needed at COVID-19 vaccine clinics; however, individuals must bring some form of identification. Acceptable forms of identification include government-issued ID (including non-Canadian and expired documents) such as a driver’s licence or passport, a piece of mail with your name on it, a pay stub or a student card.

Quotes:

“Our work to get all eligible residents vaccinated doesn’t take a break for Black Friday shopping. Along with our focus on helping kids get vaccinated, we are also continuing to offer mobile Vax The Holidays clinics all weekend across the city to help residents 12 and older get their first and second doses. These clinics are also offering third doses for eligible residents. If you’re not vaccinated yet, please get vaccinated now. The vaccine is the best protection against COVID-19 and it will help bring this pandemic to an end.”

– Mayor John Tory

“Our Team Toronto Vax The Holidays campaign will be operating mobile vaccine clinics at malls and shopping centres this weekend so that residents can easily and conveniently get vaccinated while already out to do their holiday shopping. That’s what Vax The Holidays is all about — making getting vaccinated accessible for every Torontonian by bringing vaccines to where people live, work and shop.”

– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair, Board of Health

“Team Toronto is making vaccines as accessible as possible through the Vax The Holidays campaign. While you’re out and preparing for the holidays and you haven’t been fully vaccinated – put getting your COVID-19 vaccine on your list!”

– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health

Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca