Today, Mayor John Tory announced the launch of the new Vax And Read campaign to bring COVID-19 vaccine clinics to many Toronto Public Library (TPL) branches from Wednesday, March 2 to Wednesday, March 16.
The campaign – which will see 22 vaccine clinics over two weeks in 12 TPL branches across the city – is part of Team Toronto’s continued equity-focused, hyper-local mobile strategy to make COVID-19 vaccines as accessible and convenient as possible and to bring vaccines to where residents live, work, play, study and read.
Toronto Public Health selected libraries in specific neighbourhoods to continue to remove barriers and bring vaccines to residents in areas and settings that have low vaccination coverage and to residents who are at high risk of contracting COVID-19. Locations were chosen to facilitate easy access in places that are part of Torontonians’ everyday lives.
A full list of clinic locations and hours can be found on the City’s COVID-19: Pop-Up Immunization Clinics webpage
The clinics will operate on a walk-in basis; no registration or appointments are required. Clinics will offer first, second, third and paediatric COVID-19 vaccine doses. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available.
Quotes:
“I thank our Team Toronto partners and Toronto Public Library for bringing Vax And Read to life – an accessible and convenient way for Torontonians to get vaccinated. Residents will be able to pop into any of the 12 library branches over the course of two weeks, no appointment is required. I urge all of those eligible who have not yet had their first, second, third or paediatric dose to visit their local library and do so.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Vax And Read is the newest campaign in our equity-focused, hyper-local vaccination strategy. With 22 vaccination clinics happening at 12 library branches around the city, we continue to remove barriers, make vaccines more accessible, and meet residents in their local neighborhoods.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Board of Health
“We’re looking forward to welcoming people to our vaccine clinics, and strongly encourage community members who still need to be vaccinated to drop by. We are proud to work with our Team Toronto partners to bring vaccines to people in spaces that are familiar and easily accessible.”
– Vickery Bowles, City Librarian, Toronto Public Library
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