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Vaccination eligibility won't lower to 18+ for York Region's COVID-19 hot spots

Insufficient vaccine supply continues to hamper the region's ability to keep pace with provincial eligibility expansions, York Region spokesperson say
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UPDATE: York Region is expanding vaccine eligibility to all residents and workers aged 35 and older in all 16 COVID-19 high-priority hot spots as of Tuesday, May 4.

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York Region won't be extending eligibility to residents age 18 and older in all of its 16 identified hot spots on Monday.

"Our vaccine supply does not allow us to move to 18+ at this time," said York Region spokesperson Patrick Casey in an email.

York Region is to provide further details later today regarding which vaccine priorities will be expanded, he said.

The Ontario government announced today that "due to a stable and reliable increase in vaccine supply this week," residents who are 18 and over in 2021 in any of the 114 hot spot communities would be eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment as of Monday at a mass immunization clinic through the provincial online booking system or directly through public health units that use their own booking system.

The province has indicated it will allocate 50 per cent of its supply of vaccines to hot spots during the weeks of May 3 and 10.

Today's provincial announcement included additional new vaccine eligibilities as of Thursday, May 6 at 8 a.m., including: 

  • 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);
  • First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals in addition to the other channels previously available to book their appointment.

 

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Debora Kelly

About the Author: Debora Kelly

Debora Kelly is the editor for AuroraToday and NewmarketToday. She is an award-winning journalist and communications professional who is passionate about building strong communities through engagement, advocacy and partnership.
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