York Region to launch school-based COVID-19 vaccine clinics, expand booster dose eligibility

NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGION
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The Regional Municipality of York is continuing to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to all eligible York Region residents. Vaccinations remain our best defense against COVID-19, providing protection from serious illness, hospitalizations and death.

Almost 25,000 pediatric doses have been administered to children age five to 11 since the program launched on Nov. 23, 2021. This is another significant milestone in our battle against COVID-19.

COVID-19 infections can have serious consequences for all age groups, particularly given the circulation of new variants of concern, including Omicron.

In York Region, children age five to 11 currently represent the highest incident rate of cases. The approved COVID-19 vaccine for five to 11-year-olds represents significantly more protection for children, their families and the community as a whole.

Appointments must be made for children age five to 11 and appointments are available at various York Region led COVID-19 vaccination clinics. New appointments are also added daily. Residents can book an appointment online or by calling York Region Access York at 1-877-464-9675. Access York hours of operation are Monday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Every effort is being made to make the vaccination process as comfortable as possible for children and families, including support to reduce anxiety and vaccine-related fears.

To that end, York Region is also hosting a family-friendly Beary Beachy COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021 and Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021 at St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic High School in the City of Vaughan. More details about this “beary” special clinic will be available early next week.

York Region is also working alongside local school boards to launch school-based vaccination clinics in targeted school locations. In addition, five to 11-year-olds can access pop-up clinics and community hub clinics across York Region.

York Region expanding COVID-19 booster doses

Aligned with the province, York Region is expanding eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to the following populations if at least six months (168 days) have passed since their last dose:

• York Region residents 50 years and older (born in 1971 or earlier) – NEW
• Health care workers and designated essential caregivers in congregate settings (including long-term care home and retirement home staff and designated caregivers) as identified by the Ontario Ministry of Health
• Individuals who received a complete series of a viral vector vaccine (two doses of the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine or one dose of the Janssen/Johnson and Johnson vaccine)
• Individuals who received two doses of a vaccine not approved by Health Canada
• First Nation, Inuit and Métis adults and their non-Indigenous household members (16 years of age and older)

Moderately to severely-immunocompromised individuals, as identified by the Ministry of Health and who are 12 years of age and older, are also eligible for a third dose if it has been 56 days since their second dose.

Beginning Monday, Dec. 13, 2021 at 8 a.m., residents age 50 and older (born 1971 and earlier) and other eligible individuals can book a COVID-19 booster dose appointment through the provincial booking system. This includes the COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at Cornell Community Centre, operated by the Eastern York Region and North Durham Ontario Health Teams and Oak Valley Health. Appointments can also be booked at select pharmacies.

Beginning Monday, Dec. 13, 2021 at 8:30 a.m., eligible individuals can also book an appointment at one of York Region’s COVID-19 vaccine clinics by visiting here. Residents who wish to book an appointment via telephone can call York Region Access York at 1-877-464-9675; interpretation services are available. Booster doses are offered by appointment only.

As eligibility widens, appointment availability may be limited as we continue to serve many community members. York Region Public Health and its partners continue to work to expand clinic capacity and new appointments are added regularly. Residents are encouraged to check back often. We thank you for your patience.

On Friday, Dec. 10, 20221, the province announced expanded booster dose eligibility to all Ontarians 18 years of age and older will occur, beginning Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, with appointments to be booked approximately six months after receiving a second dose.

Still looking for first and second dose of COVID-19? York Region COVID-19 vaccination clinics will continue to accept walk-ins for both first and second doses for all eligible individuals age 12+.

Individuals visiting vaccination clinics in York Region are reminded to dress appropriately for the weather. To ensure all appointments are available to those who are eligible, we encourage residents to book only one appointment per person and cancel any appointments they do not intend to use.

For more information on eligibility, clinic locations, hours or to book an appointment, please click here

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to 1.2 million residents and 54,000 businesses with 650,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available here