As part of Toronto Public Health’s (TPH) commitment to restoring pre-pandemic programs and services, TPH is opening a new fixed-site vaccination clinic near Scarborough Town Centre on August 1. The clinic will provide access to life-saving vaccines for residents in all four quadrants of the city. Residents will now have access to four fixed-site clinic locations, ensuring equitable vaccination services throughout Toronto.
To facilitate this transition, TPH is closing the Jane Finch Mall and Eglinton Square clinics on July 22 and the Thorncliffe Hub clinic will close on July 29.
TPH will operate the following fixed-site vaccination clinics in the city, Tuesday to Friday from noon to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting on August 1:
The fixed-site vaccination clinics will offer access to a range of vaccines, including COVID-19, MPOX, meningococcal, human papillomavirus, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, pertussis (whooping cough) and varicella (chickenpox).
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) and the Ministry of Health recently recommended that people five years of age and older should wait to get a COVID-19 booster until the fall when respiratory virus activity is higher, meaning the booster will provide the strongest protection. TPH’s public COVID-19 vaccination mobile clinics are on hold in preparation for the fall vaccination campaign.
A recent report from Public Health Ontario highlights lower vaccination rates for certain student cohorts due to the pandemic’s impacts. The Immunization Coverage Report for Routine Infant and Childhood Programs in Ontario is available online.
Since February, TPH has been proactively offering routine childhood vaccines required by Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) at its clinics. Students in grades 7 to 12 who did not get lifesaving vaccines at school or catch-up clinics can continue to receive these vaccines at TPH fixed-site vaccination clinics. In particular, students who completed grades 9 and 10 this year may not be up to date. TPH urges parents and guardians to prioritize their children’s health by getting their children’s vaccines back on track.
Parents can book an appointment using TPH’s online booking system. Appointments are preferred, although walk-ins will be accommodated based on capacity. Student vaccination records are required to be reported to TPH, which is accessible on the City’s website.
More information about lifesaving vaccines offered by TPH for all age groups can be found on the City’s immunization website.
Quotes:
“I encourage everyone to double-check that their family is up to date on their immunizations. Visit one of our vaccination clinics to ensure your children and family are protected. Toronto Public Health is here to help you access these important immunizations so we can build a healthier city for everyone.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“Toronto Public Health remains committed to providing convenient opportunities for vaccination through our fixed-site clinics. We encourage parents and guardians to catch up on missed vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic by booking appointments at TPHbookings.ca and reporting them to Toronto Public Health.”
– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health
“Changes to the City-run immunization clinics prioritize vaccine equity and access to life-saving vaccines for all residents. This includes vaccines required for school-aged children and recommended vaccines this coming fall.
– Councillor Chris Moise (Toronto Centre), Chair of the Board of Health
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