Today, Team Toronto partners are opening their clinics across Toronto to vaccinate children aged five to 11. Clinic opportunities include fixed clinics run by hospitals, Ontario Health teams, community health centres and more than 110 primary care providers and pediatricians. More than 240 pharmacies currently have pediatric doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine available, with more coming on line within the week.
All five City-run immunization clinics are running at full capacity today, Friday and all weekend. A total of 49,086 appointments from November 25 to December 11 are available at the clinics through the provincial booking system. As of Wednesday night, 36,373 appointments for kids have been booked in the five City-run immunization clinics. Appointments are still available at all five City-run immunization clinics next week and between December 7 and December 11.
Three school-based pilot clinics are also taking place today run by Team Toronto partners. School-based clinics are a key component of the Team Toronto five to 11 year-old vaccination strategy. Hundreds of school mobile clinics will be held over the coming weeks.
The COVID-19 vaccine has been proven safe and highly effective protection for children between the ages of five and 11 from contracting COVID-19. Vaccination helps decrease COVID-19 transmission and protects children and their households from serious outcomes including severe illness and hospitalization. Toronto Public Health urges all eligible members of the household to get vaccinated to help protect themselves, their families and their communities.
There are many COVID-19 vaccination opportunities across Toronto for children, youth and adults looking to get a first, second or third dose. Information about ways to get vaccinated are on the City’s COVID-19: How to Get Vaccinated webpage.
Quotes:
“Our Team Toronto Kids COVID-19 Vaccination Plan has ensured there are hundreds of places where families can go to receive the vaccine for their children. We have worked to make sure our City-run clinics are kid-friendly and we are ready to help thousands of kids get vaccinated. I continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated to better protect themselves from COVID-19, to protect their family, and to help protect our city.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Team Toronto Kids — the largest youth vaccine campaign in our country’s history — is officially underway. Our Team Toronto Kids plan is all about ensuring families can choose the option most accessible for them – in addition to our five City-run clinics, vaccines are also available at school-based clinics, doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and hospital clinics. It’s an all-hands-on-deck Team Toronto campaign to help get our kids – Toronto’s real-life superheroes – vaccinated”. – Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Toronto Board of Health
“Today the Team Toronto vaccination campaign for five to 11 year-old children in Toronto begins in earnest. There are many vaccination opportunities now available across the City including our TPH immunization clinics, hospital clinics, pharmacies, mobile clinics and primary care providers. I encourage you to choose the location that makes sense to you and your child, and to get vaccinated as soon as you are able.”
– 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.