Team Toronto will host a super supportive and accessible COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Monday, January 31 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the City of Toronto vaccination clinic in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St. W. The clinic is part of Team Toronto’s ongoing efforts to reduce barriers to vaccination and ensure that all populations, especially those who are most vulnerable, have every opportunity available to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Held in partnership with Toronto’s Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines, Toronto Public Health (TPH), Silent Voice, Balance for Blind Adults and the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, this clinic will be available to all Toronto residents born in 2016 or earlier for first, second and third doses, if eligible. The clinic will have supports available for people who may require assistance to get vaccinated. Staff have also received training and resources from Toronto’s Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines to provide support at this clinic.
To date, 11 super supportive and accessible clinics have been held since the COVID-19 vaccination campaign began in December 2020.
The physically-accessible clinic at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre will have resources on site to support individuals who:
Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be available at the super supportive clinic. Appointments for the super supportive and accessible clinic can be booked here An OHIP card is not required to book an appointment at the clinic.
TPH has also partnered with Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital to hold three accessible clinics specifically for children five to 11 years old with disabilities on January 28, February 4 and February 18. The child-friendly clinics will be held each day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital (Main level, Coriat Atrium, 150 Kilgour Road). Nurses with clear masks, language translation and ASL will be available and accommodation requests are taken during the registration process. Appointments for this child-friendly, accessible clinic can be booked through the Holland Bloorview online scheduling system
Toronto’s Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines was first established in March 2021 to provide recommendations and advice on enhanced support and access to the COVID-19 vaccine for people with disabilities. The Task Force was created as part of the City’s COVID-19 Immunization Task Force (ITF) outreach efforts and TO Supports: Targeted Equity Action Plan, and is a collaboration between the City and community partners. Information on Toronto’s Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines is available on the City’s Toronto’s Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines webpage
All five City-run clinics are able to offer accommodations. Each clinic has parking near the entrance, ramps, elevators, and wheelchairs. Staff are also on site at each clinic to support as necessary. Clients who need a care provider or service animal with them will be accommodated. Privacy rooms are available upon request. If a person requires an accommodation, they are asked to alert a staff member upon arrival or at any time while at the clinics.
Given the ongoing spread of COVID-19 in the community, including the more transmissible Omicron variant, it is more important than ever for residents to get their first, second and third dose when eligible. Vaccinations have been scientifically proven to lower serious consequences including hospitalizations, intubation and death due to COVID-19, while protecting oneself, loved ones and the community.
Quotes:
“This super supportive and accessible COVID-19 vaccination clinic is another example of Team Toronto doing everything we can to help residents get vaccinated. Thank you to all our partners including Toronto’s Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines for working with us to provide this clinic so more residents can get their first, second, or third dose as soon as possible.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Since the formation of Toronto’s Accessibility Task Force in March 2021, Toronto Public Health and Team Toronto partners have worked tirelessly to reduce barriers to vaccination. Through accessibility measures, training for staff, and super supportive clinics, thousands of vaccine doses have been administered to members of the disability community. With another super supportive and accessible clinic coming up, this critical work continues to ensure first, second and third doses are accessible to all residents of our city.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Toronto Board of Health
“Team Toronto and Toronto Public Health continue to work closely together with all partners including the Toronto’s Accessibility Task Force to make first, second and third doses readily accessible to all Toronto residents. Given the high health risks associated with COVID-19 for people with disabilities, we continue to work tirelessly to reduce barriers to vaccination through our equity-focused strategy in order to effectively respond and meet the unique needs and vulnerabilities of disability communities.”
– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health
“The pandemic has highlighted the systemic inequities that persist in our city and in the healthcare system. The task force continues to work closely with Team Toronto, Toronto Public Health and community partners to remove barriers to vaccination for people with disabilities, regardless of where in the city they live or the barriers they may face. With the spread of the more transmissible Omicron variant, it is critical that people with disabilities are protected by continuing to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines, in settings that are comfortable and meet their accessibility needs.”
– Wendy Porch, Executive Director, Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT)
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 contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca