The government is extending booking eligibility at mass immunization clinics to individuals aged 18 and over as the pace of Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues to accelerate with 2.2 million doses scheduled to arrive this week,
This high number of doses is due to early delivery of the week of May 24 shipment, to accommodate the long weekend, and is an opportunity for the province to offer an appointment ahead of schedule.
As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 18, those aged 18 and over in 2021 will be eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment through the provincial booking system and call centre, or directly through public health units that use their own booking system. On May 3, the government expanded booking eligibility to those 18 and over in 2021 and who live in one of the 114 hot spot communities.
People who are 17 years old and are turning 18 in 2021 will also be eligible to book their COVID-19 vaccination appointment only for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine that has been authorized by Health Canada for use in youth aged 12 and over. The provincial booking system will note which clinics are not offering vaccines for those who are 17 years old.
A news release states that the province continues to work with public health units, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities and boards of education to ensure youth in Ontario between 12 and 17 years of age will be eligible to book an appointment through the provincial booking system beginning the week of May 31 to receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
"We are also working to encourage eligible family members who have not received a vaccine to attend these clinics to get youth and their families vaccinated as quickly as possible," explains the release. "As of Tuesday, May 18, public health units may choose to provide vaccines to those aged 12 and over in pop-up and mobile clinics, as well as for walk-in appointments where the Pfizer vaccine is offered. This will include First Nations, Inuit and Métis clinics that offer the Pfizer vaccine. There will also be dedicated clinic times for youth during the weeks of June 14 and 21.
The province achieved a significant milestone on May 12, having administered a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to over half of all Ontarians aged 18 and over, and is on track to reach 65 per cent of adults by the end of the month.
As of May 15, over seven million doses have been administered province-wide.
