Homebound seniors still waiting for COVID-19 vaccine

Thousands of Ontario seniors are still waiting for their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, months after their peers received the shots.

Limited vaccine supply and personnel to administer them, along with evolving vaccination priorities, means homebound seniors who registered with their healthcare providers at the beginning of the year have yet to receive an appointment.

“I don’t want to die. I want to live,” said 86-year-old Catina Sorace in a video shared with CityNews.

Her daughter, Laura Sorace, signed Catina up on a waiting list in February. She was told she would be notified of an appointment within two to four weeks. That has yet to happen.

The City of Toronto launched a pilot program on March 10 that sees Toronto paramedics and other primary care providers administer vaccinations to homebound clients. More than 2,300 clients have received vaccines to date, with paramedics doling out over 1,200 alone.

But with each appointment taking 45-60 minutes, paramedics are only able to provide about 250-275 vaccinations per week. Meanwhile, the city says about 3,500 clients are still on the waiting list.

---

RELATED: Housebound seniors worried they’ll be forgotten in vaccine drive

---

“The intent is to get to everybody in as timely a fashion as is possible,” Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, said in a press conference Wednesday. “[We] recognize that there are some logistics issues involved that may make some people have to wait a little bit longer.”

Prioritizing the population

Laura has continued to follow up but was told her mother is not considered a high priority because she doesn’t live in a hotspot or have certain health conditions.

In a statement, Toronto Paramedic Services said they are currently prioritizing those who live in the highest risk hotspots.

“I don’t think there’s any shortage of people who might be described as vulnerable,” said de Villa.

It’s a similar story across the GTA.

Peel Region has been one of the hardest hit spots in all of Canada but has been struggling to secure the number of vaccines it needs for eligible populations.

To date, about half of the 716 residents who registered for an in-home vaccine have received one. Peel Public Health says they hope to vaccinate everyone who has already registered over the next month.

York Region has identified 1,500 individuals who are eligible for in-home vaccination. York’s Community Paramedicine team vaccinates about 20 individuals per day and at least 60 per cent of registered clients have received a shot.

How to register for in-home vaccination:

Toronto

• Residents with primary care providers who provide home-based vaccinations can book directly with their care provider.
• Residents who receive home-based primary care or community services can arrange an appointment through that service.
• All other homebound residents 18 and older should contact Toronto Seniors Helpline online or by phone: 416-217-2077

Peel Region

• Residents can register online and will be contacted to book an appointment.

York Region

• Residents must meet certain eligibility requirements. To register or for more information call York Region’s contact centre: 1-877-464-9675