Ontario launching provincial COVID-19 vaccine booking system March 15
The Government of Ontario will launch its COVID-19 vaccine booking system and customer service desk tomorrow morning.
At a press conference on Sunday, Premier Doug Ford said the portal will be live at 8 am on Monday, March 15.
The system will allow for vaccination appointments to be booked at mass immunization clinics across the province, starting with individuals who are 80 years of age and older.
“We are making steady progress in the execution of our vaccine distribution plan, and the launching of the online booking system is another major milestone,” Ford said.
“In this phase of our plan we are still offering vaccines to our most vulnerable, so I encourage everyone aged 80 and older to use the portal to book an appointment. For everyone else, please be patient, as we get more supply, the vaccine will be offered to more people.”
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Beginning tomorrow, individuals who will be turning 80 or older in 2021, or an individual trusted to make an appointment on their behalf, can visit Ontario.ca/bookvaccine.
When booking, eligible individuals will be able schedule appointments for their first and second vaccine doses.
“The provincial booking system will be critical in supporting the next phase of Ontario’s vaccine rollout as more vaccines become available,” said Christine Elliott, the Minister of Health.
“We know everyone is eager to receive the vaccine, and as we continue to build capacity, we are making it easier and more convenient for individuals to book and receive the vaccine as quickly as possible.”
Currently, only those who are aged 80 or older can make a vaccination appointment through the online booking system and call centre.
However, starting in April, the systems will be made available to additional age groups as Phase Two of Ontario’s vaccine distribution plan begins.
The province said it is expecting a high volume of traffic to the online booking system, and is asking that only those who are currently eligible to receive a vaccine attempt to access it.
According to General Rick Hillier, the head of the province’s vaccine distribution task force, more than 2,200 operators will be online to receive calls through the customer service desk, which is capable of receiving 10,000 calls per hour.
“The introduction of these booking systems puts in place the final piece in the province’s infrastructure to rollout its vaccination program,” said Hillier.
“There is now a fulsome range of options for the people of Ontario to book an appointment and receive their vaccine, but please only use them if and when it is your turn.”
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