News Release
June 22, 2021

The Team Toronto vaccination initiative has administered first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to more than 60 per cent of Toronto youth aged 12 to 17 years of age. This significant milestone marks further important progress as Team Toronto works to get as many residents vaccinated as possible to fight COVID-19 and the Delta variant.

A two-week youth vaccination blitz, which includes more than 65 youth focused clinics, began on Monday, June 14 and continues this week across the city. Last week alone, more than 10,900 Toronto youth received their first dose of vaccine. The blitz involves hospital partners, Ontario Health teams and designated appointments at City-run clinics to ensure all youth have the opportunity to receive their first dose of vaccine before summer begins and get fully vaccinated before returning to school in September.

Youth 12 to 17 years of age will receive the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine, which is approved for all individuals 12 years of age and older. Providing vaccinations for youth will help reduce the number of COVID-19 cases in our community and allow kids to participate in activities that benefit their health and well-being. Vaccination continues to be an important way to protect ourselves, our families and our communities from COVID-19, including the variants of concern.

Team Toronto vaccination partners remain committed to get as many individuals fully vaccinated with two doses as quickly as possible. As the Delta variant continues to spread across Toronto and the GTA, we continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated at their earliest opportunity.

The Youth Vaccination Strategy is being co-led by Toronto Public Health and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Youth initiatives to support vaccination have included City-run immunization clinics, hospital clinics, school pop-up clinics, and mobile clinics led by hospitals, Ontario health teams and community partners. The vaccination efforts have been supported by community ambassadors, parent and caregiver town halls, special youth-focused school assembly presentations, and direct outreach with school boards and principals.

Quotes:

“We are working to do everything we can to get Toronto residents vaccinated. Thank you to all the families who have had conversations about the importance of getting vaccinated and worked to make sure our young people get their shot. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective and will ensure young people are protected and ready to go back to school in the fall.”

– Mayor John Tory

“I want to thank Toronto Public Health, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), and all our Team Toronto partners for leading our Youth Vaccination Strategy and helping our city reach this important milestone. It’s wonderful to see so many young people across Toronto taking action to help protect themselves and their loved ones. By stepping up and getting their shots, they are helping our city move one step closer to beating this pandemic.”

– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Toronto Board of Health

“Our progress vaccinating youth across our city is incredibly encouraging. Providing COVID-19 vaccination to youth 12 to 17 years of age is safe and our best defense against COVID-19 and its variants. I encourage everyone to get whichever vaccine is fastest to access. Vaccinations protects children, their families and our community, and brings us all one step closer back to all the things we have missed enjoying in our city. ”

– 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.

TPH Media Relations