York Region to release 13,500 more COVID-19 vaccine appointments Friday

York Region announced Thursday that it’s opening up another 13,500 COVID-19 vaccine appointments even though a lack of vaccine supply forced some of its clinics to close earlier this week.

The appointments will become bookable at 8:30 am on Friday, April 16 via the municipality’s booking website.

#YorkRegion is not currently offering vaccine appointments for ages 18-44 in high priority communities. If you are in this age group, please wait for further communication about when and how you can get your vaccine. Learn more about eligibility at https://t.co/9KIfZSQg3i (2/2)

— York Region (@YorkRegionGovt) April 15, 2021

Earlier this week, York Region’s mass immunization clinic at Canada’s Wonderland was forced to close because it ran out of vaccine doses.

The same thing happened at Georgina Ice Palace, and three other vaccination clinics also had to reduce their hours due to lack of supply.

• See also:
  • Vaccine clinic at Canada’s Wonderland temporarily closing due to lack of supply
  • All Canadians offered second COVID-19 vaccine dose by end of summer: Njoo
  • Ontario sets new daily record with more than 4,700 COVID-19 cases

Last week Wayne Emmerson, York Region’s Chairman and CEO, wrote an open letter to the Minister of Health requesting additional vaccine doses to help keep the clinics open.

Emmerson said that a delay in shipments from Moderna had caused an “imminent and serious reduction” in the region’s vaccine supply.

“York Region is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases,” Emmerson wrote.

“Because of this, we are shifting our priorities from not only protecting our most vulnerable individuals but to also address areas in York Region experiencing the highest incident rates, hospitalizations, and mortality.”

To book one of the new appointments being released Friday, York Region residents must be eligible under one of the following categories:

• Born in 1961 or earlier for the Cornell or Soccer City clinics
• Born in 1956 or earlier for all other clinics
• Age 45-59 and living in five identified high priority communities(City of Vaughan postal codes: L4L, L6A, L4K, L4J; City of Markham postal code: L3S)
• Have a highest and high risk health condition as identified in Ontario’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan (or care for someone with one of these conditions)
• Special education staff who work in York Region
• Healthcare workers
• Live in a long-term care home, retirement home, or First Nations elder care homes
• Alternative level of care patients in hospitals who have a confirmed admission to a long-term care home, retirement home or other congregate care home for seniors
• Staff or caregivers for residents of retirement homes or other congregate settings
• Indigenous adults and their household members
• Live with a chronic condition and receive home care services in York Region (documentation required)
• Faith leaders who live or work in York Region and provide end of life care, care of the deceased, care of those who are unwell or provides pastoral services in vulnerable settings

Ontario has administered about 3.5 million vaccine doses so far as it struggles to combat the third wave of infection. The province set another daily case record on Thursday with more than 4,700 new infections.