The Mayor was joined by Councillor Mike Colle (Eglinton-Lawrence), Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa and Fire Chief and General Manager of the Office of Emergency Management Matthew Pegg.
With more than three million doses of vaccine now administered by Team Toronto and more than 30 per cent of adults in the city fully vaccinated, Mayor Tory stressed the need for that progress to continue and for people to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect against the COVID-19 Delta variant (B.1.617.2). Health officials are clear that a second dose of vaccine is the best protection against the Delta variant that is more infectious than other strains of the virus. Recent studies have shown that two weeks after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine, a person’s protection against the Delta variant is 50 per cent higher than one dose alone. Anyone eligible for a first or accelerated second vaccine dose is urged to book an appointment as soon as possible.
Dr. de Villa encouraged anyone who has had Moderna or Pfizer for a first dose to safely take either Moderna or Pfizer for the second dose for strong protection. Both vaccines are authorized for use in Canada and use a similar mRNA technology, so the vaccines are safe to mix. This is consistent with recommendations recently provided by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and with practices within several provinces. Both provide strong protection against COVID-19 and its variants.
Anyone who had AstraZeneca for a first dose can also safely take either Moderna, Pfizer or AstraZeneca for a second dose for strong protection. Getting a Moderna or Pfizer vaccine after the first dose of an AstraZeneca has been shown to provide a strong immune response, including against COVID-19 variants.
The City’s North Toronto Memorial Community Centre immunization clinic, located at 200 Eglinton Ave. E., has now administered more than 33,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. More than 45 staff are on-site daily, vaccinating approximately 800 people every day. The clinic is nearly 100 per cent booked for this week. Anyone looking for an appointment at the clinic, which is conveniently located along TTC bus routes 5, 32 and 61 and only a short walk from Eglinton Subway Station, can view available appointments in the provincial vaccine appointment booking system: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/.
On Sunday, June 27 the City and Team Toronto are joining forces with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and Scotiabank to hold “Toronto Vaccine Day,” a one-day vaccination event at Scotiabank Arena: https://www.toronto.ca/news/city-of-toronto-announces-toronto-vaccine-day-at-scotiabank-arena-on-june-27-our-winning-shot-clinic-planning-to-vaccinate-more-than-10000-people/. The team is hoping to get as many Toronto residents as possible vaccinated while setting a Canadian clinic single-day vaccination dose record in the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors.
More than 10,000 appointments have been added to the provincial booking system for Sunday’s event. All people age 12 and older are eligible to book first dose appointments. Appointments will also be available for critical accelerated second doses for anyone age 70 or older, people who received a first dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine on or before May 9 (as of tomorrow, people who received a first dose on or before May 30 will be eligible) and people who received a first dose AstraZeneca vaccine on or before May 1.
Appointments can be booked by residents through the dark blue “Book a Vaccine” button on www.toronto.ca/covid-19 or by calling the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833-943-3900.
To easily connect to resources including vaccine appointment bookings, information on vaccines and upcoming telephone town halls, Toronto residents can text “VACCINE” to 1-833-750-0888 or 833-750-0888 for more information.
Quotes:
“I want to thank the residents who have done the right thing and have received their first and second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or have booked their appointment to receive their doses. The best way to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our community from COVID-19 and the new emerging variants is by getting fully vaccinated. While efforts have been ongoing for the past few months, the next few weeks are crucial to stopping the spread of the virus and to further protecting our city and its residents. I encourage people to get their vaccine and to help us bring this pandemic to an end.”
– Mayor John Tory
“I am happy to be here and see residents of Eglinton-Lawrence get their second vaccine doses.”
– Councillor Mike Colle (Eglinton-Lawrence)
“The best protection against COVID-19 and the Delta variant is to get fully vaccinated as soon as you can. Thank you to everyone who is getting vaccinated and to the clinic staff who are working tirelessly to administer vaccines as quickly and safely as possible. Together, you are bringing us closer to all the things we have missed and a life more like we remember it before COVID-19.”
– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health
“I am thankful for the nearly immeasurable dedication and effort of the hundreds of staff who make the nine City-operated clinics a reality, along with the entire Team Toronto vaccination team. Their ability to pivot and respond to the ever-changing COVID-19 landscape, while ensuring that vaccine continues to be made available to our residents is both admirable and amazing. I encourage every resident who has yet to book their vaccination appointment to do so today and join the millions of residents who already have, as we work together to beat COVID-19.”
– Fire Chief Matthew Pegg, General Manager of the Office of Emergency Management