Peel opening COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to everyone 50 and up this week

Peel Region is extending vaccine eligibility to all residents age 50 and up later this week.

Starting on Friday, April 9, people turning 50 this year can book a vaccine appointment at the region’s hospital and community vaccination clinics.

Peel’s medical officer of health, Dr. Lawrence Loh, made the announcement at Brampton’s Wednesday COVID-19 update.

“I want to be clear. Moving quickly down the age brackets will be the fastest and most effective way to ensure we get Peel vaccinated in the least amount of time,” Loh said.

He’ll also be releasing a full schedule at Brampton’s council meeting this week of when Peel residents will be eligible for a vaccine by age.

He added residents still need to stay home as much as possible because vaccination won’t stop the third wave of infection soon enough.

“The variants have very much won this round in Peel and in Ontario,” he said. “Even if we vaccinated everyone in Peel today we still would not see changes in our trends for four weeks.”

• See also:
  • Ontario reports 3,215 new COVID-19 cases as province expected to impose Stay-at-Home order
  • School staff in Niagara can get vaccinated over April break
  • US opening vaccine eligibility to all this month as Canada sticks with end-of-summer

Ontario moved into Phase 2 of its COVID-19 immunization strategy Tuesday, meaning people with underlying health conditions, essential workers, and people living in hotspot neighbourhoods are now a priority.

York Region opened up vaccine eligibility to residents of five hotspot neighbourhoods as young as 45; meanwhile, Toronto is working to vaccinate residents who are 60 and above.