Toronto closing 5 COVID-19 vaccine clinics August 22, adding more mobile teams

Toronto is redeploying almost 700 staff from COVID-19 mass immunization clinics to mobile teams to focus on providing hyper-local vaccination opportunities.

With the redeployment of staff, five of the nine city-run COVID-19 clinics will be closing on August 22. Carmine Stefano Community Centre,  Malvern Community Recreation Centre, Mitchell Field Arena, North Toronto Memorial Community Centre and Toronto Congress Centre will all be closing.

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Cloverdale Mall, The Hangar and Scarborough Town Centre will all be remaining open.

Those who have a first dose booked at any of the locations closing before August will be informed on how to book their second dose at one of the remaining clinics and those who have an appointment booked for after August 22 have been contacted to rebook their appointment.

The city says with almost 75 per cent of adults fully vaccinated and over 80 per cent with one dose, they are now focused on areas with low vaccine uptake.

The almost 700 staff members will add 17 mobile clinic teams to the five teams currently working who can go directly to workplaces, organizations and communities to vaccinate residents.

“Through vaccination, we have gained a great deal and we want to protect that by completing second doses and or getting a first,” said Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen De Villa.

She also warned the Delta variant is still extremely concerning for those who are not vaccinated.

“Delta is infecting people with an ease that worries me as a doctor,” said De Villa. “If you aren’t vaccinated, I worry about you.”

Dr. De Villa said while people may hear about breakthrough cases, meaning cases of COVID-19 in people who have been fully vaccinated, they are very unusual and often very mild cases of the virus.

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