Toronto looks to create standby lists at mass COVID-19 vaccination clinics

Toronto City Council approved a motion Thursday to explore more ways to fill missed appointments at its COVID-19 mass vaccination clinics.

The City will assess how feasible it would be to implement daily standby lists and offer same-day appointments if there is excess vaccine on hand.

The goal is to accelerate vaccine rollout by filling all empty appointments at City-run clinics.

Councillor Josh Matlow moved the motion for standby appointments. In a tweet, he said it’s important “to ensure that when it comes to providing COVID-19 vaccine shots, there’s no waste, and no delay.”

I’m moving a motion today at city council to ensure that when it comes to providing COVID-19 vaccine shots, there’s no waste, and no delay. It’s time for same-day standby opportunities for the general public when clinics have capacity. pic.twitter.com/pA2E2pIYDW

— Josh Matlow (@JoshMatlow) April 8, 2021

The City of Toronto has previously encouraged people who are eligible by age to book unfilled appointments and has asked the province before to extend the age ranges on its online portal so more people can get their shot.

Matlow’s amendment was passed along with several other items related to Toronto’s COVID-19 response, including a new requirement that individuals in condo building common areas wear masks.

• See also:
  • These essential trips are still permitted during Ontario’s Stay-at-Home order
  • Ontario expands asymptomatic COVID-19 testing for students
  • Anyone over 18 in these Toronto neighbourhoods can soon get a COVID-19 vaccine

People as young as 50 living in certain high-risk postal codes throughout the city will be eligible to book an appointment at the City’s mass clinics starting Friday, April 9 at 8 am.

Ontario has administered approximately 2.8 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to date. Officials say immunizations won’t be fast enough to stop the growing third wave of infection since the shots take between two and four weeks to immunize people.

A Stay-at-Home order began in Ontario on Thursday to slow COVID-19 spread. Officials hope that 40% of Ontario adults will have received their first shot by the time the order expires in four weeks.