News Release
July 22, 2022

In the past week, Team Toronto has administered 45,815 fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccine. The surge in fourth doses, also referred to as second boosters, follows the Province of Ontario expanding fourth-dose eligibility to all people age 18 and older on July 13. In the same timeframe, 4,326 third dose (first booster) vaccinations were also administered by Team Toronto.

More than 293,000 people in Toronto have now received a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine. The increase in vaccinations comes at a good time, as a seventh wave of the pandemic is impacting Ontario through a new strain of the COVID-19 virus; the BA5 variant.

Data shows that residents with a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine had the lowest rate of hospitalization, compared to residents who were not vaccinated or were under-vaccinated. The fourth dose offers further protection to residents who are at higher risk of getting the virus, which can result in serious consequences such as hospitalization, intubation and death.

Individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and who are high-risk should get their fourth dose as soon as possible. Individuals who have been infected with COVID-19 are advised to wait three months before receiving their next dose.

A new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine is anticipated to be approved by Health Canada this fall, which may offer more targeted protection against the Omicron variants.

Yesterday, the Government of Ontario announced that the new Health Canada-approved vaccine for children ages six months to under five years old will be available as early as next Thursday, July 28. Toronto Public Health expects to receive a first shipment of the new COVID-19 vaccine from the Ministry of Health next week, with further shipments expected in the weeks that follow. Plans are underway to provide vaccinations starting as early as July 28 to individuals who meet the provincial guidelines. Details will be available next week. Vaccination sites will include City of Toronto clinics, participating primary care/paediatrician offices, vaccination clinics run by hospitals (e.g. family health teams, community health clinics), participating pharmacies and Indigenous-led clinics.

First, second, third and fourth doses continue to be available to residents by appointment or walk-in across the six City-run COVID-19 immunization clinics. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are available. A health card is not needed. Summer hours are now in effect to better accommodate Toronto residents’ schedules:

  • Metro Hall and Crossroads Plaza Monday to Thursday, noon to 6 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Cloverdale Mall, Mitchell Field Community Centre and 1940 Eglinton Ave. E. Tuesday to Friday, noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Thorncliffe Park Community Hub Monday to Friday, noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More information and details about each clinic location are available on the City’s COVID-19: Where to Get Vaccinated webpage: www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-how-to-get-vaccinated/. Residents can also get their COVID-19 doses at Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, select primary care offices and other Team Toronto health care partner clinics.

TPH continues to partner with festivals and summer events to provide pop-up COVID-19 clinics this summer. These family-friendly and youth-friendly clinics provide first, second, third, fourth and children’s COVID-19 doses to eligible residents age five and older on a walk-in basis, with no appointments or a health card required. Pfizer and Moderna will be offered by TPH nurses, who will also answer COVID-19 and vaccine-related questions.

Upcoming event COVID-19 vaccination clinics include:

  • Fun Philippines Toronto Street Festival, Bathurst Street between Laurelcrest and Wilson Avenues, Saturday, July 23 from noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • TD Festival of South Asia, 1426 Gerrard St. E., Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24 from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m.
  • Youth Day Event near the intersection of Yonge and Queen Streets, Sunday, July 24 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Under the Stars, Regent Park, 620 Dundas St. E., Wednesday, July 27 from 5 to 9 p.m.

Further information about location and hours of operation is available on the City’s COVID-19: Pop-Up Immunization Clinics webpage.

Students who access one of more than 400 vaccination clinics in schools across Toronto or a City-run immunization clinic this summer for hepatitis B, meningococcal and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines may also get their COVID-19 vaccines at the same time. Information on each clinic, including locations and hours of operations, is available on the TPH Appointment Booking System. A health card is not required to book an appointment. A COVID-19 vaccination can be received at the same time as, or any time before or after the other vaccinations.

Residents can also get vaccinated at primary care offices and more than 560 pharmacies. Pharmacy locations that administer COVID-19 vaccines. Locations are listed on the provincial Vaccine Locations webpage.

As of yesterday, Toronto Public Health and Team Toronto have administered more than 7.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine. More than 92.3 per cent of residents age 12 and older have received their first dose, while 89.7 per cent have received two doses. Approximately 60.2 per cent of eligible residents 18 years and older have received their third dose.

Quotes:

“Team Toronto delivered more than 45,000 second booster doses in the last week. Thank you to everyone who has stepped forward to get vaccinated now that eligibility has been further opened up. This great progress is a testament to the strong network of vaccine clinics, pharmacies, doctors’ offices and vaccine engagement teams we’ve built to help achieve world-leading vaccination rates. Thank you as well to every member of Team Toronto continuing to help people get the vaccine dose they need today, throughout this weekend and in the weeks ahead.”

– Mayor John Tory

“Vaccines continue to be the best way to protect yourself against serious health consequences from COVID-19. That’s why I encourage everyone to stay up to date with their vaccinations and to get all booster doses when eligible. Thank you to the millions of Torontonians who have already gotten vaccinated, and to all those who will do so in the coming days. You’re helping to keep yourself, and our city safe.”

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

“This COVID-19 variant that is heavily impacting Toronto is highly contagious and spreads quickly. So as much as people want to enjoy the warmth of summer they should get the next dose they are eligible for. Increasing your protection now through vaccination and masking, and staying home if you have symptoms will help to curb the spread of the virus.”

– Dr. Eileen de Villa, 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.

Media Relations
Toronto Public Health