Vaccines Available for 60+
Today Peel residents have more opportunities to get vaccinated than ever before, with new provincial announcements and a pilot for seniors who cannot leave home to be vaccinated.
As of Friday, April 2, residents aged 60 years and over will be able to start booking vaccinations at Peel Public Health Vaccination Clinics and hospital clinics. The quickest way for residents to book an appointment at a Peel Public Health Vaccination Clinic is through the provincial online booking system. For those who do not have internet access or need assistance, there is a provincial line to provide support – the Provincial Vaccine Information Line number at 1-888-999-6488 (open Monday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 800 p.m.).
Booking options for all sites in Peel, including those operated by our hospital partners, are summarized on the Region of Peel's vaccine booking website. All vaccination clinics are open everyday this weekend.
Residents who have a red and white health card, those who do not have a health card and those who have questions or other challenges related to getting vaccinated, can call the Region of Peel COVID-19 Vaccination Line at 905-791-5202 (open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week). Seniors who need assistance getting to and from the vaccine clinic can use TransHelp by calling 905-791-1015 at least 48 hours before their appointment. Residents do not need to be a TransHelp client to use this service.
An expansion to pharmacy locations for COVID-19 vaccinations for those 55 years and over was announced today. Pharmacies in Peel have been identified and locations are available at COVID-19 pharmacy vaccine locations (ontario.ca). The Ministry has identified 43 locations that will be offering the AstraZeneca vaccine to individuals aged 55 and over, with some locations to begin offering the vaccine as early as Saturday, April 3, 2021.
Today we began piloting our strategy for seniors who are unable to leave home for vaccination. This is starting with a small number of seniors identified through the Home Care Population Planning Table and primary care partners. Peel Regional Paramedic Services mobile teams will help to reach these residents. Learnings from this pilot will assist us to increase the numbers of residents who can be vaccinated at home.
The primary care providers offering COVID-19 vaccine in Peel will continue to vaccinate their patients. Appointments are not being taken by request and beginning on Saturday, April 3, providers will reach out to eligible patients aged 55 years or older.
Be sure to check www.peelregion.ca/COVID19vaccine as your one-stop shop for all information on eligibility, clinics, booking and other information about the vaccination program.
These opportunities for more residents to be vaccinated are great news at a time when COVID-19 cases are rising so rapidly in our community and across the province. The announcement today that Ontario is implementing a provincewide emergency brake at 12:01 on Saturday, April 3 is difficult news for residents and will mean a tightening of restrictions.
Be sure to follow public health rules and suggestions closely to limit the spread of COVID-19.
