Today, Mayor John Tory visited Kingsview Junior School, the site of one of more than 20 micro-focused immunization clinics set up across six priority neighbourhoods in the northwest section of the city, as part of Team Toronto’s Home Stretch Vaccine Push. The Home Stretch Vaccine Push was launched yesterday for one week to increase vaccine uptake across key neighbourhoods with low vaccination rates.
Team Toronto’s efforts continue across the city as Toronto is expected to reach the milestone of 60 per cent of adults fully vaccinated with two doses by the end of this weekend.
During his visit to the clinic, Mayor Tory spoke with and encouraged residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible, including getting the critical second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. The clinic at Kingsview Junior School, which is run by Rexdale Community Health Centre and Unity Health, plans to administer 500 shots throughout the duration of the week. Community partners involved include the Somali Canadian Association of Etobicoke, Delta Family Resource Centre, Albion Neighbourhood Services, Rexdale Women’s Centre and Somali Women’s and Children’s Support Network.
With the northwest area of the city experiencing some of the lowest overall vaccination rates for both first and second doses, at 59 per cent and 36 per cent respectively, the Home Stretch Vaccine Push is focusing efforts on the following six priority neighbourhoods: Elms-Old Rexdale, Kingsview Village-The Westway, Mount Dennis, Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown, Weston and Englemount-Lawrence.
Residents are urged to get their second dose as soon as possible to ensure they are fully vaccinated. Everyone age 12 years or older can book their vaccination appointment by clicking the blue “Book a Vaccine” button at toronto.ca/covid-19 or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900.
Quotes:
“The progress we have made in Toronto with almost 60 per cent of adults now fully vaccinated is incredible, but we still have of work to do to ensure that all residents across all areas of the city have access to vaccinations. I had the pleasure of visiting some of the northwest neighbourhood clinics this morning that were established as part of the Home Stretch Vaccine Push launched yesterday. It was very encouraging to see residents lined up to get their first and second doses of the vaccine. It is a true testament to the hard work that Team Toronto has put into breaking down barriers to vaccination and I am looking forward to seeing where this initiative takes us in the next week.”
– Mayor John Tory
“With 60 per cent of Toronto adults now fully vaccinated, Torontonians are stepping up in record numbers. We’ve made incredible progress over the past few months, and I want to thank everyone who has come out to get their shots and help protect themselves, their loved ones, and our city. On our end, we’ll keep scaling up until everyone, in every area of our city, can quickly and easily get fully vaccinated.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy, (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Toronto Board of Health
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