News Release
June 28, 2021

As of this morning, everyone in Toronto age 12 and older is eligible to book an accelerated second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. To accommodate this surge in demand for vital second doses, Mayor John Tory announced today that City of Toronto immunization clinics will be adding more than 375,000 vaccination appointments – 125,000 appointments each for the weeks of July 5, July 12 and July 19 – to the provincial booking system tomorrow morning.

The 375,000 appointments build on Team Toronto’s success yesterday during Toronto Vaccine Day when 26,771 people were vaccinated in a single day at the Scotiabank Arena and will help continue the City’s progress getting people fully vaccinated. More than 35 per cent of Toronto adults are already fully vaccinated.

Anyone age 12 or older is eligible to book one of the 375,000 appointments as a first dose appointment. As of this morning, second dose appointments can be booked by anyone, including youth age 12 to 17, who received a first Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least 28 days ago or a first AstraZeneca vaccine at least eight weeks ago. More information on second dose eligibility is on the Province of Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccines: getting your second dose webpage.

Appointments for the weeks of July 5, 12 and 19 will go live in the provincial booking system at 8 a.m. tomorrow, June 29. Appointments for City-run immunization clinics can be booked by residents through the dark blue “Book a Vaccine” button on toronto.ca/covid-19 or by calling the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833-943-3900.

City-operated immunization clinics are mRNA vaccine clinics, meaning they administer Pfizer or Moderna vaccine based on what is available. Both Pfizer and Moderna brand vaccines are extremely effective against COVID-19 transmission. Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has found “no important difference” between the two vaccines and considers them interchangeable and a “mixed mRNA model” – mixing Pfizer and Moderna for first and second dose – is approved by both the federal and provincial governments for anyone 18 and older. An mRNA second dose is also approved for anyone who received a first AstraZeneca dose. Most of the 375,000 July appointments will be for the Moderna vaccine.

The Pfizer mRNA vaccine is the only vaccine currently approved for use in Canada for anyone under the age of 18. At this time, youth age 12 to 17 will continue to only receive Pfizer.

Getting a second dose is vital in Toronto’s fight against COVID-19 and the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) that is more infectious than other strains of the virus. Recent studies have shown that two weeks after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine, a person’s protection against the Delta variant is 50 per cent higher than one dose alone.

To easily connect to resources including vaccine appointment bookings, information on vaccines and upcoming telephone town halls, Toronto residents can text “VACCINE” to 1-833-750-0888 or 833-750-0888 for more information.

Quotes:

“We are making outstanding progress getting people vaccinated. These 375,000 vaccination appointments will help that progress continue so that we can bring this pandemic to an end. Please get vaccinated – your first dose and your second dose – to protect yourself from COVID-19 and the Delta variant and to protect our progress as a city.”

Mayor John Tory

“Torontonians are taking action to protect themselves and our city – 26,771 people stepped up and got their first and second doses yesterday at Scotiabank Arena alone, shattering records. Now, with 375,000 more appointments available at our City-run clinics in the new few weeks, there’s even more chances for people to get fully vaccinated. By coming together as a city to get vaccinated, we’re moving closer to getting back to all the activities and experiences we have missed so much.”

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

“Let’s get as many Torontonians fully vaccinated as quickly as possible. With new appointments added, tens of thousands more individuals will be better protected against COVID-19 and so will our entire community.”

– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health

“Our Immunization Task Force is hard at work every day, vaccinating as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. These new blocks of appointments make it possible for another 375,000 people to accelerate their vaccinations, moving us closer yet to putting COVID-19 behind us.”

– Fire 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