Starting tomorrow at 8 a.m., residents age 50 and older living in COVID-19 hot spot postal codes will be able to book vaccination appointments at City-operated immunization clinics. This expanded eligibility is part of the Phase 2 Team Toronto vaccine rollout, ensuring every dose available is used to protect the most vulnerable.
The change will ensure an additional 265,518 residents are eligible to book vaccine appointments at City-run clinics.
Hot spot areas are neighbourhoods identified by the Province of Ontario with ongoing and historic high rates of COVID-19 transmission, hospitalization and death. These areas were also identified by the province to have populations with higher risk factors including racialization, income, quality of housing, immigration status and education attainment.
The Province has identified these priority areas for increased vaccination efforts by first half of postal codes. Fifty-three areas in Toronto are COVID-19 hot spots. People age 50 and older who live in these areas are eligible to book vaccination appointments as of 8 a.m. on Friday, April 9.
If you or someone you know is age 50 or older and has a postal code that starts with the following, registration through www.toronto.ca/covid-19 or the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1-888-999-6488 opens tomorrow at 8 a.m. with first dose appointments available at some clinics as soon as this week:
Ontario Health Teams and hospital mobile clinics and pop-ups will be vaccinating people age 18 and older in these neighbourhoods, identified by their postal codes. Some hospital immunization clinics are also vaccinating younger residents who live in specific priority neighbourhoods and local residents with highest-risk and high-risk medical conditions. Please visit vaccineto.ca for details on hospital vaccination clinics, eligibility criteria and booking information.
Phase 2 rollout will continue over the coming weeks. All people currently eligible for vaccination – including eligible seniors from Phase 1 who have not yet booked vaccination appointments – are urged to book as soon as possible. Booking, transportation and translation information, as well as a link to make your appointment at a City-run vaccination clinic is on toronto.ca/covid-19 or available by calling the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1-888-999-6488.
On Monday, April 12 at 11 a.m., the City will open the final three City-operated vaccination clinics in Toronto:
Once all nine of the City-operated vaccination clinics are open, City-run clinics will have a weekly vaccination capacity of more than 10,000 doses per day, dependent on vaccine supply. These clinics will support the City’s mobile clinic teams with details to be announced in the coming days.
The City-operated clinics are part of a vaccination network that includes hundreds of clinics operated by health sector partners including hospitals and pharmacies. A map of vaccination options in Toronto is available on the City’s COVID-19: Vaccine Clinic Locations webpage.
Getting as many people as possible vaccinated will stop future waves of COVID-19 and protect our healthcare system and wider community. For the current wave of COVID-19 in Toronto, amplified by variants of concern, staying home except when absolutely necessary – for example, to attend a vaccination appointment – and following public health guidance including wearing a mask and physical distancing is the best way to keep everyone safe.
Quotes:
“This is a major step forward in getting people vaccinated in hot spot neighbourhoods. We are working with Toronto Public Health, our hospital and healthcare partners, and the province to get people as many people vaccinated as possible in the areas that we know have been hit hard by COVID-19. I encourage everyone who is eligible to book their appointment and get their vaccine shot – this will help us save lives and protect people.”
– Mayor John Tory
“To protect those at greatest risk, following consultation with the Province, we have adjusted our immunization strategy to focus on a targeted hot-spot neighbourhood and workplace approach. It’s a plan to bring vaccines to the neighbourhoods that are hardest hit, and where frontline essential workers live. This approach is about reaching people in their communities and their workplaces. It’s about getting every dose to those in greatest need as quickly and strategically as possible.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Board of Health
“Toronto Public Health continues to work with our health care partners across the City on ways to deliver vaccines to create the largest possible benefit for the greatest number of people. Yesterday’s provincial announcement affords the benefit of vaccine protection which is a measure that, in turn, protects everyone in our community. With even more opportunities to vaccinate those at greatest risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing serious health consequences as a result, I continue to encourage everyone to receive their vaccine at their first available opportunity.”
– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health
“I am very pleased that as of April 12, all nine-City operated clinics will be operational. I encourage all those who are eligible to receive vaccine to book their appointment and get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
– 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.