For the second consecutive week, Team Toronto has delivered more than 45,000 fourth doses – known as second boosters – of COVID-19 vaccine to eligible Torontonians. In the two weeks since the Province of Ontario expanded fourth dose eligibility to people age 18 and older on July 14, 91,045 people in Toronto have received their second booster dose. In total, 334,960 people in Toronto have now received four doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
As of Thursday, July 28, Team Toronto has administered more than 7.3 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 66.9 per cent of eligible residents 18 years and older have received their third dose. More than 125,000 five- to 11-year-olds have also now initiated vaccination. All COVID-19 vaccine data is available on Toronto Public Health’s Vaccine Dashboard.
All eligible residents are encouraged to get their third and fourth doses as soon as possible. As with vaccinations for other diseases, people are best protected when their COVID-19 vaccinations are up to date. Everyone age 18 and older and youth ages 12 to 17 who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are eligible to get a second booster dose.
COVID-19 vaccinations have been scientifically proven to lower the risk of illness, hospitalization and death while protecting people, their loved ones and the community. Residents with three doses have had the lowest rate of hospitalization, compared to residents who were not vaccinated or were under-vaccinated. While the third dose offers good protection against COVID-19, the fourth dose offers even 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.
Toronto Public Health continues to partner with festivals and summer events to provide convenient, accessible pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics. This weekend, Torontonians can find pop-up clinics at the Toronto Caribbean Carnival and Ghana Fest:
Pop-up clinics are family-friendly and will provide first, second, third (first booster), fourth (second booster) and paediatric COVID-19 doses to eligible residents. Clinics operate on a walk-in basis and no appointment or health card is required. Pfizer and Moderna will be available. More information is available on the City of Toronto’s COVID-19: Pop-Up Immunization Clinics webpage.
COVID-19 vaccinations are also available by appointment or walk-in at the six City-run COVID-19 immunization clinics. More information and details about clinic locations and hours is 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.
Quotes:
“We have world-leading vaccination rates because the vast majority of Toronto residents want to protect our progress and make sure our city comes back stronger than ever. Thank you to every member of Team Toronto for this continued effort to help residents get vaccinated against COVID-19. If you’re eligible, getting a second COVID-19 booster is the best way to continue to take care of yourself and your community. I applaud the more than 334,000 people who have already taken this important step – including more than 45,000 people in the last week – and encourage all eligible residents to book their next dose as soon as possible.”
– Mayor John Tory
“The pop up clinics at festivals are a great way to enjoy the sounds and sights of Toronto, and get your protection from COVID with the winter months approaching. Join your fellow Torontonians and Jump Up for a vaccine at one of these fantastic events.”
– Councillor Joe Mihevc (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Board of Health
“Thank you to TPH and Team Toronto for continuing to provide vaccination opportunities and thank you to everyone newly eligible for your good response. Whether it’s your first, second, third or fourth dose, staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations is one important part of protecting ourselves, our families and communities from serious illness caused by the virus and its variants.”
– 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.