Today, Mayor John Tory kicked off the #VaxTheNorth weekend-long vaccination clinic at Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St. The clinic is welcoming walk-ins to anyone age 12 and older for both first and second dose vaccinations and offering free on-site food, drinks, prizes, and entertainment from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. each day, Saturday, July 24 and Sunday, July 25.
The clinic, which is fully accessible, will administer all vaccines indoors and will be open rain or shine. After their vaccination, residents may take part in an exciting community festival in the Square. Weather permitting, live bands will perform including alternative rockers Birds of Bellwoods, who will take the stage in the Square tonight at 7:30 p.m. and Toronto’s legendary Soul Stew, who will treat the crowd to R&B, funk and soul starting tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.
Beloved mascots – Raptor and Carleton the Bear – will make an appearance this morning and a variety of prizes will be given out for first doses, including 1,000 TFC jerseys generously donated by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE).
Two TTC stations are within walking distance of the Square and free parking is available on the east side of Beecroft Road next to the Square and on both sides of North York Boulevard. A limited number of free underground parking passes are available for the North York Centre/Novotel and are available on request from clinic staff at vaccination check-out.
Led by the City of Toronto and North York General Hospital, together with Team Toronto hospital partners, including Women’s College Hospital, North York Toronto Health Partners, other community partners and MLSE, this pop-up clinic is part of Team Toronto’s Home Stretch Vaccine Push, a recent initiative created to increase vaccine uptake in areas of the city experiencing low vaccination rates.
With rates of first and second dose vaccinations in some North York neighbourhoods lagging behind the city’s vaccination rates by six per cent to 10 per cent (for first doses) and four per cent to more than nine per cent (for second doses), the aim of #VaxTheNorth is to administer thousands of vaccines to local residents over the weekend, especially to those aged 18 to 45 years.
The clinic, which will offer mostly Pfizer with some supply of Moderna, is open to walk-ins. Scheduled appointments can also be booked through the North York Toronto Health Partners booking website
Quotes:
“This weekend’s #VaxTheNorth clinic is part of the Team Toronto Home Stretch Vaccine Push, which is working to help close the gap in COVID-19 vaccination rates. As we reach a pivotal point in our efforts to end this pandemic, we are lucky to work with such strong health and community partners to organize these types of exciting events and opportunities for our under-vaccinated neighbourhoods and residents. I encourage all North York residents who have yet to get their first or second vaccine dose to come out and do so this weekend, while taking in some local fun and entertainment.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Our #VaxTheNorth clinic this weekend is one more step in our Home Stretch Vaccine Push: a ground campaign to reach everyone, everywhere, by bringing vaccines directly into neighbourhoods. By building community connections, engaging with people where they live and work, and bringing in music, food, and entertainment, it’s all hands on deck this weekend to get North York vaccinated.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Toronto Board of Health
“Because of the more dangerous Delta variant, we need to get 90 per cent of Torontonians vaccinated to provide enough protection for a safe return to school, work and everyday life. Please help us get there.”
– Councillor John Filion (Willowdale)
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Media contacts:
City of Toronto Media Relations, media@toronto.ca
Andrea Piunno, Senior Communications Specialist, North York General Hospital, Andrea.Piunno@nygh.on.ca