Team Toronto continue its efforts to administer COVID-19 vaccinations, with focused efforts on residents over 50 years old who are currently eligible for third doses, and those in neighbourhoods with low vaccine uptake.
To-date, approximately 65 per cent of residents age 50 and older have received their third dose since eligibility opened to this age group on December 13, 2021. Of the more than 1.1 million residents in this age group, 609,287 residents have received their third dose, leaving 330,609 who have gotten their first and second dose and are eligible for the third one. The Province of Ontario further decreased the required time between second and third doses to approximately three months (84 days) on December 20, 2021, which accelerated the third dose campaign.
Employing an evidence-informed and equity-based approach, the City of Toronto’s VaxTO campaign uses a combination of tools including targeted text messages, emails, telephone town halls and other outreach tactics to share information with those eligible and remove any barriers residents face. Given the continued spread of the more transmissible Omicron variant, there has been increased efforts by Team Toronto to reach out to residents who are 50 years old and older who have yet to receive their third dose and those in neighbourhoods with low vaccine uptake.
Walk-in vaccinations will be available for residents age 50 and older at the five City-run clinics on Sunday, January 23, and Monday, January 24 to encourage them to get their first, second or third dose (if eligible). The VaxTO campaign will be reaching out directly to eligible residents 50 years and older who have yet to receive their third dose via text, promoting walk-in appointments for this Sunday and Monday. More than 53,000 texts are expected to be sent out today. For those who are not able to take advantage of the walk-in appointments, information will be shared on how to book appointments through the booking system.
With almost 25,000 appointments available at City-run clinics from today through February 19, Team Toronto is also encouraging all eligible residents who have booked a later appointment for their third dose to move their appointment up for an earlier time at their convenience. Residents can reschedule their appointment online by:
Residents can also call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1 888 999 6488 (TTY 1-866-797-0007) between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. if they do not have their booking confirmation code, or are having difficulties rescheduling their appointment online. Residents should also cancel their appointment if they have already received the vaccine dose and no longer require the appointment.
Team Toronto’s latest mass vaccination event, “Vax The Northwest” will be held at York University’s Aviva Centre this Sunday, January 23 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in partnership with Toronto Public Health (TPH), Humber River Hospital, University Health Network (UHN), Black Creek Community Health Centre, Unison Community Health Centre, Tennis Canada and York University. More information on the event can be found on the City’s website.
This clinic is focused on providing first, second and third doses to residents who in areas adjacent to York University and in select neighbourhoods with lower vaccination rates in Northwest Toronto. Promotion and outreach efforts to encourage first, second and third doses at this clinic include:
When looking for Vax The Northwest in the provincial booking system, Northwest Toronto residents should search by postal code to ensure the clinic appears as an option, rather than searching all of Toronto.
TPH continues to work closely with healthcare partners and school boards to arrange and host additional school-based clinics to provide first, second and third doses to children, youth and residents in neighbourhoods where vaccination uptake has been lower.
Given the emergence of the new Omicron variant and ongoing community transmission of the Delta variant, Toronto Public Health urges all eligible residents to book their third-dose appointment. Residents who have not yet received their first or second COVID-19 vaccine shot are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. COVID-19 vaccines lower the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death, while protecting oneself, loved ones and the community.
As the vaccination campaign progresses, TPH urges all residents to limit close contacts and interactions to household members, when not at school or work. Keep a six-foot distance from those outside your household and continue to wear a well-fitted, high-quality mask when indoors and when physical distancing is not possible. Residents with symptoms should stay at home and self-isolate, even if mild.
Quotes:
“We are continuing to do everything we can as a city to help residents get vaccinated. I want to thank Team Toronto for helping get more than 1.2 million third doses administered to people as quickly as possible and for working now to help residents, especially older residents and those in neighbourhoods with low vaccine uptake, to get that important third dose. If you don’t have your third dose yet, please get it as soon as you can – walk-in at one of our five clinics this weekend. We want as many people as possible vaccinated to protect the progress we have made confronting COVID-19 and the Omicron surge.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Team Toronto is making getting vaccinated more accessible for residents aged 50 and up, as well as residents in neighbourhoods with lower vaccine uptake. By making walk-in appointments available and contacting eligible residents using our VaxTO outreach tools, including phone calls, text messages, and emails, more Torontonians can get vaccinated and be protected sooner. This is what our vaccination campaign has been about from the start: doing whatever it takes to connect residents to resources, encouraging vaccination and addressing barriers.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Toronto Board of Health
“Team Toronto is working together to provide COVID-19 vaccines to some of our most vulnerable residents through its equity-focused multi-pronged approach. To all those who have yet to book a first, second or third dose, please do so as soon as you can. The vaccine is your best protection against serious consequences from COVID-19 and protecting yourself, your loved ones and your community. To all those who have stepped up so far to get vaccinated – thank you for doing your part in protecting your community and our city.”
– 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.