Toronto continues hyper-local vaccine campaign, close to 90% vaccination goal
Posted October 20, 2021 2:43 pm.
Last Updated October 20, 2021 3:52 pm.
The City of Toronto is continuing its hyper-local COVID-19 vaccination campaign with new TTC clinics this weekend as the city approaches its goal of 90 per cent of the eligible population vaccinated.
Two months ago, there were still 409,000 people needed to reach that goal. Now, that number has almost been cut in half with 215,000 residents left to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Of those people, 123,000 have already received their first dose.
This weekend from Thursday to Saturday, there will be six clinics held at TTC stations across the city that will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with no appointment required.
The stations were chosen based on accessibility and Team Toronto data mobile data to determine where vaccination rates are low. The clinics will be held at Islington, St. Clair West, Bathurst, Union, Kennedy and Finch West stations.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa said Wednesday’s low case counts in Toronto despite in-person learning returning is “cause for cautious optimism.” They are still waiting on the impact of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Dr. de Villa said they are also currently working on a multi-pronged campaign to help get children aged 5-11 vaccinated as quickly as possible once the COVID-19 vaccine is approved for their age group.
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“COVID-19 vaccines play an important role in reducing virus spread in our city and protecting our community. Helping young children get vaccinated will make sure they have the best protection against COVID-19, and help keep our schools safe and open for in-person learning,” she said. “My team at Toronto Public Health is working hard with our partners to prepare to vaccinate children between the ages of 5 and 11 as soon as vaccines are approved for this age group.”
Pfizer has already submitted their vaccine for approval to Health Canada for those five to 11 years old.
The campaign to get children vaccinated would include mass immunization clinics and school-based clinics while also delivering vaccines through pharmacies and doctor’s offices, according to Dr. de Villa.
“We are doing everything we can as a city to be ready for when the vaccine for five to 11-year-old children is approved by Health Canada. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and have already helped protect millions of teens and adults across our city,” said Mayor John Tory.
“Helping young children get vaccinated as quickly as possible will make sure they have the best protection possible against COVID-19 and help keep our schools safe and open to in-class learning.”
TPH is also launching a toolkit for parents, guardians and caregivers with reliable information about COVID-19 vaccinations.
