Today, Team Toronto hit a new milestone, with 89 per cent of residents 12 and over having now received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
This milestone comes just one day after Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa announced that the City of Toronto leads global cities in second dose COVID-19 vaccination coverage among eligible residents 12 and older, 18 and older, and for all residents.
Team Toronto and Toronto Public Health (TPH) continue to administer paediatric, first, second and third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to all eligible residents. From March 14 to March 20, 17,451 doses were administered, which represents an increase of more than 500 doses from the previous week.
As of yesterday, 6,832,176 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered since the start of the vaccination campaign. More than 91 per cent of residents age 12 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and more than 64.6 per cent of eligible residents have their third dose.
Over the weekend, Mayor John Tory announced the launch the new Vax And Spring campaign as part of Team Toronto’s continued equity-focused, hyper-local mobile strategy. This strategy aims to make COVID-19 vaccines as accessible and convenient as possible, and to bring COVID-19 vaccine clinics to many locations across Toronto. Running from March 20 to March 27, this initiative will see 24 vaccination clinics held in 22 locations to provide first, second and third doses in focused neighbourhoods with low vaccination coverage and to residents who are at high risk of contracting COVID-19. Vax And Read also continues to operate until the end of March, bringing COVID-19 vaccine clinics to Toronto Public Library branches across the city. More information is on the City’s website.
The Vax And Spring and Vax and Read clinics operate on a walk-in basis; no registration is required. Clinics are offering first, second, third and paediatric COVID-19 vaccine doses. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are available. A full list of clinic locations and hours can be found on the COVID-19: Pop-Up Immunization Clinics webpage.
Team Toronto and TPH continue to work hard to remove barriers to COVID-19 vaccination to all residents through its hyper-local, data- and equity-centered efforts to continue to remove barriers to COVID-19 vaccines. More information about Team Toronto’s approach to increasing localized vaccination opportunities, outreach and efforts is available on the COVID-19: City Immunization Strategies webpage.
A full list of clinic locations and hours can be found on the COVID-19: Pop-Up Immunization Clinics webpage. More information about where to get vaccinated across the city including at City-run immunization clinics, primary care offices and over 525 pharmacies is available on the City’s COVID-19: Where to Get Vaccinated webpage.
While the majority of COVID-19 indicators continue to trend positively, the seven-day moving average for new cases last week increased slightly to 245 cases, from 241 the previous week.
TPH continues to urge all residents to get their first, second and third dose, if eligible, and if they have not already done so. COVID-19 vaccines have been scientifically proven to lower the risk of illness, hospitalization and death while protecting oneself, loved ones and the community. Recent data shows that residents with three doses had the lowest rates of hospitalization, ICU and death over any other level of vaccination.
Quotes:
“Helping 89 per cent of residents get at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine is a huge achievement for Team Toronto and this world leading vaccination rate will protect our progress as we move forward with reopening. Our work to deliver vaccines to residents is continuing this week with a number of clinics as part of our Vax and Spring campaign. Thank you to everyone who has stepped forward to get vaccinated and encouraged others to get their first, second and third doses as well. If you’re not vaccinated yet, please visit one of our clinics so you can get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Toronto is already a world leader in vaccination rates, and we continue to reach new milestones. Thank you to everyone who has helped us get to 89 per cent of residents 12 and over double vaccinated. Our work isn’t slowing down, we’re scaling up our equity-focused strategy to make vaccines accessible and reach every resident, in every part of our city.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Toronto Board of Health
“I’m thrilled to see our city’s latest milestone in our efforts to reduce virus spread and help make sure that all residents are protected from COVID-19. Thank you Team Toronto and all of our partners for your continued hard work to bring vaccine to residents in all parts of our city.”
– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s 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.