Today, Mayor John Tory announced that the City of Toronto and Team Toronto vaccination partners have now administered two doses of COVID-19 vaccine to 75 per cent of eligible Torontonians age 12 and older. To reach this exciting milestone ensuring three out of every four eligible residents are vaccinated, the team administered more than 4.5 million doses of vaccine across the city.
Mayor Tory made this announcement during a visit to the vaccination clinic in the Thorncliffe Park Community Hub in the East York Town Centre. The Mayor thanked the 75 per cent of Torontonians who have stepped up to be vaccinated and clinic operator Michael Garron Hospital along with all those working on the Team Toronto vaccination effort. The Mayor urged anyone who is not yet vaccinated to get their first dose as soon as possible to protect Toronto’s reopening and the upcoming school year.
Being fully vaccinated is the best defense against the COVID-19. Vaccination coverage also remains a key consideration in the Province of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen. With the Delta variant increasingly appearing in Toronto, getting vaccinated is an essential part of protecting the city’s reopening progress and moving beyond Step Three reopening.
With three quarters of eligible youth and adults now vaccinated with two doses, the City is pivoting vaccination efforts to hyper-local clinics in neighbourhoods with lower vaccination rates to reach people who have not yet initiated vaccination. The new strategy will significantly increase Toronto Public Health’s ability to bring vaccines directly to workplaces, faith groups, organizations and communities that experience barriers to vaccination and low vaccine uptake.
Five City-run vaccination clinics will continue to operate Tuesday to Saturday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Scarborough Town Centre, Mitchell Field Arena, The Hangar and Cloverdale Mall. More information on City-run clinics is on the City’s COVID-19: How to Get Vaccinated webpage.
While vaccination progress continues, all people in the city are urged to continue to follow public health measures, including staying home when sick, practising physical distancing and wearing a mask when physical distancing is not possible. Residents who exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has had COVID-19 should get tested as soon as possible. Information on how to get tested is on the City’s COVID-19 Testing webpage.
Quotes:
“Getting vaccinated will help protect you, your loved ones, and our entire city. Our health officials have been clear that vaccines are the best weapon we have to protect people, to help save lives and to help keep people out of hospital. The more people vaccinated, the greater protection we all have and the better chance we have that schools, attractions, businesses, arts venues and restaurants can stay open. We all need to get vaccinated to bring this pandemic to an end.”
– Mayor John Tory
“We have reached another significant milestone in our fight against COVID-19, with 75 per cent of Torontonians age 12 and older now fully vaccinated. This is great progress, and wouldn’t have been possible without the commitment of Torontonians to protecting themselves, their loved ones, and our city. But our work isn’t over yet. We must keep doing everything we can to break down barriers to vaccination and bring vaccines directly to where people are, in every part of our city.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy, Chair of the Toronto Board of Health
“This is another impressive milestone for our city’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign of which I am proud. Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and to our Team Toronto health partners for all of your continued efforts to protect our community. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to join the 75 per cent of Toronto residents who are enjoying the protection and peace of mind that being fully vaccinated provides and to get your vaccine as soon as you are able to protect yourself, your loved ones and our communities.”
– 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.