Ontario is expanding its COVID-19 vaccination booking for people aged 18 and over who live in one of 114 hotspots throughout the province starting at 8 a.m. May 3.
The province has seen a stable and reliable increment in the supply of the vaccines, thus the government will further expand the eligibility of booking for COVID-19 vaccination throughout the province, an Ontario government press release said.
The media release stated Ontario is expected to receive around 800,000 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, allowing the province to allow more people to get vaccinated.
People 18 years old and older who live in one of the 114 hotspot communities will be able to book their appointment at a mass immunization clinic through the province’s online booking system or directly through the public health units that have their own booking system, the release said.
The government has released a list of the hotspot communities’ for people to refer.
“With additional supply our government is increasing access to the vaccines in the communities hardest hit by COVID-19,” Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health of Ontario said during a government media conference on May 2.
“Continuing to focus on getting vaccines in the arms of those most at risk will help to stop the spread of COVID-19 in these communities. I continue to urge everyone to sign up to receive the vaccine as soon as it’s your turn,” she said.
This expansion of eligibility of vaccines is to support the government’s plan of allocating 50 per cent of the total vaccines to the hotspot communities during this and next week, the release said.
Also, priority populations who were just able to book appointments for vaccines through the provincial call centre will now be able to book online as well, the release said.
Individuals with high risk health conditions, licenced child care workers and education workers who directly support students with special needs will also be able to book appointments for vaccines online, the release said.
“I urge everyone who is eligible to book their appointment, to do so as soon as possible,” Solicitor General Sylvia Jones said at the press conference on May 2. “Every vaccine administered is a step toward reducing COVID-19 transmission and will help save lives.”
People aged 40 and older can visit Ontario’s provincial website to look for a pharmacy administering vaccines and can contact them to make an appointment for vaccination, the release said.