News Release
March 26, 2021

The City of Toronto will expand COVID-19 vaccine availability to individuals born in 1951 and earlier as of tomorrow, March 27.

Starting tomorrow at 8 a.m., seniors age 70 or older in 2021 will be able to register to book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment. Eligible seniors can book appointments through the dark blue “Book a Vaccine” button on toronto.ca/covid-19 or book by phone through the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1-888-999-6488 (TTY 1-866-797-0007). More information on booking options is available on the Province’s What to expect when you get a COVID-19 vaccine webpage.

There are almost 30,000 appointments for eligible seniors available at mass immunization clinics in Toronto. Appointments for the expanded age group will be available at three City-operated mass immunization clinics this weekend and two additional City clinics as of Monday.

Available as of tomorrow:

  1. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St. W.
  2. Toronto Congress Centre, 650 Dixon Rd.
  3. Scarborough Town Centre, 300 Borough Dr.

Available as of Monday:

  1. Malvern Community Recreation Centre, 30 Sewells Rd.
  2. Mitchell Field Arena, 89 Church Ave.

The mass immunization clinic at the East York Town Centre at 45 Overlea Blvd., operated in partnership with East Toronto Health Partners, will also be accepting bookings for seniors age 70 and older.

The City-operated clinics are part of a vaccination network that includes four additional City-operated clinics opening soon and hundreds of clinics operated by health sector partners including hospitals and pharmacies. A sixth City-operated clinic at The Hangar will open on Monday, April 5. A map of vaccination options in Toronto is available on the City’s COVID-19: Vaccine Clinic Locations webpage.

Some of Toronto’s hospital-based COVID-19 vaccination clinics also expanded vaccines to residents age 70 and older this week. Toronto residents born in 1951 or earlier who want to be vaccinated at a participating hospital-based clinic beginning today can view their options and book through hospital-based booking systems listed at vaccineto.ca or by calling 1-888-385-1910.

As Toronto continues the rollout of mass immunization, to reduce and eliminate the transmission of COVID-19, protect the healthcare system and save lives, the City continues to urge all residents to stay home as much as possible to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Please review the City’s simple “Dos” and “Don’ts” guide for recommended and mandatory public health measures under provincial regulations and City bylaws.

Quotes:

“We are leading Ontario in getting shots in arms and we aren’t going to stop until everyone that wants a vaccine, gets one. We are continuing to ramp up our clinic capacity as more vaccine supply comes in from the Government of Canada. We are vaccinating thousands of people a day in the city but we now have capacity for more. As we announced earlier today, we have almost 30,000 appointments available over the coming week for people to get vaccinated. We need people to sign up. We need people to get vaccinated. The sooner we are all vaccinated, the sooner this pandemic will be over. That’s why we are pushing so hard to encourage people who are eligible to get vaccinated right now – don’t wait.”

– Mayor John Tory

“Vaccines are how we end this pandemic. We finally have increased supply, and more City-run immunization clinics are opening on Monday. Lowering the age for eligibility means more Torontonians can be protected, faster. If you’re eligible, please book an appointment. If you have a loved one who is eligible, connect with them to help. By increasing the number of people who are vaccinated, and continuing to ramp up our community outreach work to ensure that everyone who is eligible for the vaccine can quickly and easily access it, we will beat this pandemic.”

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

“This announcement is a welcome and critical step to protect residents from COVID-19. We know that people over 70 years-old are at a higher risk of developing serious illness should they contract COVID-19. Vaccination is one of the most important health protection measures available, particularly as we are seeing an increase in the variants of concern circulating in the population. If it’s your turn to be vaccinated, book your appointment. Don’t wait. Get vaccinated now to protect yourself, your family and your community.”

– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health

“I am very pleased the opportunity to get vaccinated has been extended to those 70 years of age and older. Both our City-operated and healthcare partner clinics are ready to vaccinate our residents. I continue to urge residents who are eligible to get vaccinated to book your appointment today and help us put COVID-19 behind us once and for all.”

– Chief Matthew Pegg, General Manager of the Office of Emergency Management

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 Relations