| TORONTO — Due to a stable and reliable increase in vaccine supply, this week, the Ontario government will further expand booking eligibility for COVID-19 vaccination appointments across the province. As of Monday, May 3, 2021, at 8:00 a.m., individuals who are 18 and over in 2021 and live in one of the 114 hot spot communities will be eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at a mass immunization clinic through the provincial online booking system or directly through public health units that use their own booking system. This expansion of eligibility will support the government’s strategy of allocating 50 per cent of vaccine allocations to hot spots the weeks of May 3rd and 10th. “With additional supply our government is increasing access to the COVID-19 vaccines in the communities hardest hit by COVID-19,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “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, protect our hospital capacity and save lives. I continue to urge everyone to sign up to receive the vaccine as soon as it’s your turn.” In addition, beginning Thursday, May 6, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. the following groups throughout the province will be eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, through the provincial online booking system and call centre or directly through public health units that use their own booking system: Individuals turning 50 and over in 2021; Individuals with high-risk health conditions; People who cannot work from home who fall under Group One (including remaining elementary and secondary school workers); and First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals in addition to the other channels previously available to book their appointment. In addition, priority populations who have been only able to book via the provincial call centre will now also be able to book online, including individuals with the highest risk health conditions, child care workers in licenced child care settings and education workers who provide direct support to students with special education needs. “With access to more vaccine supply, we are able to expand eligibility and increase the speed and scale of vaccine delivery in communities where it is needed most and will have the greatest impact,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “I urge everyone who is eligible to book their appointment, to do so as soon as possible. Every vaccine administered is a step toward reducing COVID-19 transmission and will help save lives.” Ontarians who are now eligible to book their vaccine appointment are asked to be patient, as it could take time to receive their vaccination. Public health units are responsible for managing and overseeing the distribution and administration of vaccines for their entire region, and public health units may have different vaccine administration rates based on local context. |
| Quick Facts Visit Ontario’s website to find out if you are eligible to receive the vaccine at this time. Due to increased supply, the government has developed an anticipated schedule to expand eligibility to book an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine throughout May, with individuals aged 18 and older expected to be eligible to book through the provincial booking system as early as the week of May 24, 2021. Eligible groups can use Ontario’s vaccine booking system to find out how to schedule an appointment, or can call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line number at 1-833-943-3900. For general inquiries, individuals can call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line number at 1-888-999-6488 or TTY service is also available by calling 1-866-797-0007. Find out if you live in a hotspot community by visiting Ontario’s website for a list of designated postal codes. Adults aged 40 and over in 2021 are eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine at participating pharmacies and primary care settings. Visit ontario.ca/pharmacycovidvaccine to find a participating pharmacy and contact the pharmacy to see if you need an appointment or if walk-in (first come, first served) vaccinations are available. Appointments are not being taken by request. As of April 12 and 29, respectively, special education workers across the province and education workers who live or work in select hot spot areas in Toronto and Peel, and child care workers in licensed child care settings have been eligible to book a vaccine appointment. On April 30, 2021, Ontario achieved its goal of administering first doses of COVID-19 vaccines to 40 per cent of Ontarians aged 18 and over by May 1. Approximately 800,000 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are expected to arrive in Ontario per week at the start of May, ramping up to 940,000 doses per week by the end of May. |
| Additional Resources Ontario Prepares to Accelerate Rollout as Vaccine Supply Increases Ontario Expands COVID-19 Vaccination Booking to Individuals 45 and Over in Hot Spot Communities For up-to-date information on the populations currently eligible for vaccination and instructions on how to book an appointment when you are eligible, visit Ontario’s vaccine webpage. Individuals aged 40 and over can visit ontario.ca/pharmacycovidvaccine to find a participating pharmacy and can contact the pharmacy to make an appointment for COVID-19 vaccination. For resources in multiple languages to help local communication efforts in responding to COVID-19, visit Ontario’s COVID-19 communication resources webpage. Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect the people of Ontario from COVID-19. |
| Media Contacts Alexandra Hilkene Minister Elliott’s Office alexandra.hilkene@nullontario.ca David Jensen Communications Division media.moh@nullontario.ca 416-314-6197 |
