The City of Toronto and Team Toronto vaccination partners have now completed in-home second dose COVID-19 vaccinations for all homebound residents identified during the initial homebound vaccination registration phase. Approximately 8,000 people have received their first and second dose of COVID-19 vaccine through the Homebound Sprint initiative.
It is still possible to register for in-home vaccination. People 12 years of age or older who live in Toronto and cannot physically leave their home to receive a COVID-19 vaccine for medical, physical, cognitive or psychosocial reasons are currently eligible for in-home vaccinations. In-home vaccination referrals and requests continue to be received by Homebound Sprint partners for both first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
Anyone with questions about homebound vaccination should speak with their primary care or homecare service provider. Homebound individuals not linked with either a primary care or homecare service provider can call the Toronto Seniors Helpline at 416-217-2077 or visit them online at the Toronto Seniors Helpline Web Chat.
The helpline is available to support homebound adults and seniors to determine eligibility for an in-home COVID-19 vaccination. The helpline can also assist those who are able to leave their homes for vaccinations with information regarding transportation options or with booking an appointment at a City-run immunization clinic.
Team Toronto partners leading the homebound initiative include Toronto Paramedic Services, Home and Community Care Support Services Toronto (HCCSS), University Health Network (UHN), and Toronto Public Health. Local Homebound Sprint partners include East Toronto Health Partners, Mid-West Toronto OHT (Ontario Health Team), North Toronto OHT, North York Toronto Health Partners, North Western Toronto OHT, The Safehaven Project for Community Living, SickKids, Sinai Health, Scarborough Health Network, Sprint Senior Care, Toronto Western Family Health Team, Unity Health Toronto’s Family Health Teams at St. Joseph’s and St. Michael’s Hospitals are also helping to ensure all identified residents receive a vaccination.
The Homebound Sprint is built on work started in March by Toronto Paramedics, UHN and HCCSS to vaccinate homebound Torontonians and ensure no one who wishes to be vaccinated is left behind.
Getting both doses of COVID-19 vaccine is the best defense against the virus, including the Delta variant. The City continues to work with all Team Toronto partners to make getting vaccinated against COVID-19 as easy as possible. All City-operated immunization clinics are offering first- and second-dose walk-in vaccinations to anyone age 12 and older from noon to 7 p.m. every day.
Quotes:
“In-home vaccination has been a cornerstone of our efforts to reach Toronto’s most vulnerable residents. I am proud of the work that Toronto Paramedic Services and our many Team Toronto vaccination partners have done to ensure 8,000 homebound people and their essential caregivers are fully vaccinated. Being able to offer two-dose protection from COVID-19 is essential to keeping our community safe. Our work to make sure all residents have access to their first and second shots of COVID-19 vaccine is continuing but completing the vaccinations of homebound residents is an important milestone in our fight against this pandemic.”
– Mayor John Tory
“From Day One, we’ve been committed to breaking down every possible barrier to vaccination. That includes ensuring that people who are unable to leave their home can get fully vaccinated, with both doses of COVID-19 vaccine. I want to thank all our Team Toronto partners, along with the dedicated staff at Toronto Public Health and Toronto Paramedic Services, who have worked around the clock to provide in-home vaccinations for Torontonians in need.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Toronto Board of Health
“I’m so pleased to see our community reach this milestone today and grateful for all of Team Toronto’s efforts to continue to make vaccination more accessible for all residents in our city. A big thank you to all of our Team Toronto vaccination partners for coming together to help make sure that all Torontonians can get the best protection against COVID-19 and its variants as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health
“Toronto Paramedic Services and our partners have worked incredibly hard to ensure the success of the Homebound Sprint initiative. This partnership will continue its work to ensure that everyone who needs an in-home vaccination will have access to one.”
– Chief Paul Raftis, Toronto Paramedic Services
“This milestone is a testament to the ability of all partners to meet individuals where they are. Every person counts and the compassion our teams brought to each and every individual is what it will take to end this pandemic.”
– Melissa Chang, Sr. Director, UHN Connected Care
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.