As of this morning, the City of Toronto and Team Toronto vaccination partners have administered a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to more than 50 per cent of Torontonians age 16 to 19. Many of the 62,601 people age 16 to 19 who have now received their first dose of vaccine were vaccinated within the last week at one of the City-run, partner-run or pop-up clinics held across Toronto.
Today, Mayor John Tory visited a pop-up vaccination clinic at Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute. The Danforth Collegiate clinic is part of the Team Toronto Sprint Strategy. The pop-up clinic, supported by Michael Garron Hospital and East Toronto Health Partners, is open to students age 12 and older who attend Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute, Greenwood Secondary School, Earl Haig Public School and Wilkinson Junior Public School as well as students’ immediate family members. The clinic opened this morning and 8 a.m. and will operate until the 500 available vaccine doses have been administered. Like most pop-up clinics, the vaccine supply is intended for the local community and only first doses are being administered.
The Province of Ontario opened COVID-19 vaccination to youth age 12 to 17 less than one week ago, on Sunday, May 23. The newly-introduced youth cohort is quickly closing the vaccine coverage gap – particularly in the 16- to 19-year-old age group which has now reached almost 52 per cent coverage. Around 30 per cent of young people age 12 to 17 – approximately 48,000 people – have already received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. While the vaccine will protect young people, youth vaccination also contributes to the goal of protecting the entire community by stopping the spread COVID-19.
Vaccination for everyone age 12 and older is available at City-run immunization clinics. Appointments can be booked by residents through the dark blue “Book a Vaccine” button at the City’s COVID-19 webpage or by calling the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833-943-3900. Those seeking a vaccine appointment can also register and check availability with healthcare partners through the Vaccine TO webpage, local pharmacies or healthcare providers.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been approved by Health Canada and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization for youth age 12 and older. Those registering for vaccination appointments must be at least 12 years old at the time of booking. Youth do not need to attend a clinic with a parent or guardian as parental consent is not required to receive a vaccine, provided the healthcare provider administering the vaccine deems the youth capable of understanding the decision to be vaccinated.
To easily connect to resources including vaccine appointment bookings, information on vaccines and upcoming telephone town halls, Toronto residents can text “VACCINE” to 1-833-750-0888 or 833-750-0888 for more information.
For the current wave of COVID-19 in Toronto, amplified by variants of concern, staying home and following public health guidance is the best way to keep everyone safe. Please review the City’s COVID-19: Guide for Residents for public health guidance and information on what is and is not permitted under provincial regulations and City bylaws.
Quotes:
“We are doing everything we can as a city government to get every resident vaccinated. Thank you to the families who are coming out to get vaccinated by the thousands to make sure they are protected and their community is protected. Getting vaccinated as soon as possible is the right thing to do so that we can bring this pandemic to an end.”
– Mayor John Tory
“With more than 50 per cent of Torontonians age 16 to 19 having now received their first dose of vaccine, it’s clear that teenagers in our city are taking immunization seriously. I want to thank every young person who has stepped up and taken action to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their city. In partnership with SickKids, Toronto Public Health and our Team Toronto partners are actively rolling out our youth vaccine drive, with plans for a two-week youth vaccine blitz from June 14 to 28. There are more details to come and we still have more to do, but with over 50 per cent already, this is a great start.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Toronto Board of Health
“It’s wonderful to see a high number of young people getting vaccinated now that they are eligible. East Toronto Health Partners has been doing great work in the East End and they are now reaching students and their families through our schools. Thank you to the incredible staff and volunteers who are making sure shots get in arms. It is so important to get everyone vaccinated as soon as possible and I encourage East Enders to visit a local clinic if they are able to.”
– Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth)
“Vaccines are giving all of us hope and reason to be optimistic that we are rounding the corner on this pandemic. Youth have experienced a great deal of disruption over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic: school disruption, missed extra-curricular activities and lost time with friends – all of these things are critical to their development. The faster we can get everyone vaccinated – including youth – the faster we can return to many of the activities we so deeply miss.”
– 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.