The City of Toronto has received direction from the Province of Ontario to expand COVID-19 vaccine availability to individuals born in 1946 and earlier as of Monday, March 22. The City’s three operating mass immunization clinics are prepared to welcome newly-eligible seniors once they have made confirmed appointments in the provincial booking system.
As of Monday, seniors age 75 or older in 2021 will be able to register to book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment. Eligible seniors can book appointments through the dark blue “Find out if you are eligible to book” button on toronto.ca/covid-19 or book by phone through the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1-888-999-6488 (TTY 1-866-797-0007). More information on booking options is available on the Province’s What to expect when you get a COVID-19 vaccine 
webpage.
Appointments next week for the expanded age group will be available at three City-operated mass immunization clinics: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Scarborough Town Centre and Toronto Congress Centre. As of March 22, the three City-operated immunization clinics are scaling up operations, increasing the number of available vaccinations from 1,350 to 4,320 doses per day. Dependent on vaccine availability, the City expects more appointment capacity to be made available in the coming weeks. A video tour showing what residents can expect at City-operated mass immunization clinics is available on the City’s YouTube channel .
The online registration system for Toronto residents born in 1941 and earlier to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments at City-operated clinics remains live on toronto.ca/covid-19. Those age 80 and over remain eligible and anyone in this eligible group who does not yet have an appointment to be vaccinated will remain eligible to book an appointment at any time of their choosing.
The three open City-operated clinics are part of a vaccination network that includes six additional City-operated clinics opening soon and hundreds of clinics operated by health sector partners including hospitals and pharmacies. On Monday, March 29, City-operated vaccination clinics at Malvern Community Recreation Centre and Mitchell Field Community Centre will open to eligible seniors with confirmed appointments. A sixth clinic at The Hangar will open on Monday, April 5. As clinics open, anyone who arrives at a clinic without a confirmed appointment will not be vaccinated. A map of vaccination options in Toronto is available on the City’s COVID-19: Vaccine Clinic Locations webpage.
As Toronto awaits the rollout of mass immunization, to reduce and eliminate the transmission of COVID-19, protect the healthcare system and save lives, the City continues to urge all residents to stay home as much as possible to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Please review the City’s simple “Dos” and “Don’ts” guide for recommended and mandatory public health measures under provincial regulations and City bylaws.
Quotes:
“We want people to sign up and get vaccinated. I want to thank the Government of Ontario for opening up the eligibility to seniors age 75 and older. Our mass vaccination sites are ready to welcome more seniors and provide shots to as many people as the supply from the Government of Canada allows. Starting Monday, Toronto seniors 75 or older can book appointments at our mass vaccination sites. I encourage everyone who is eligible to sign up and everyone who knows someone who is eligible to help them. Eligible seniors can book appointments at toronto.ca/covid-19 or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1-888-999-6488.”
– Mayor John Tory
“I am very pleased that the eligibility for booking COVID-19 vaccinations, in mass immunization clinics, is being expanded next week. Our goal is to have each of our City-operated clinics fully booked each and every day as we continue to do all we can to vaccinate as many people as possible, as very soon as possible.”
– Chief Matthew Pegg, General Manager of the Office of Emergency Management
“With registration for 75+ years-old open at our mass immunization sites as of Monday, I encourage all eligible Torontonians to get vaccinated as soon as possible. We know that the protection that vaccination affords is one of the best lines of defense against this virus. Toronto Public Health, the City and our healthcare partners are working as quickly as possible to ensure everyone has access to vaccine as supply is available. If a friend or family member of yours falls within this age bracket, please offer them help –whether that be with registering or driving them to their appointment.”
– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health
“Throughout our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve remained committed to protecting our most vulnerable. With this in mind, we welcome the announcement from our partners at the Province that Torontonians age 75 and above will be able to register for a vaccination appointment at one of our City-run mass immunization clinics, starting on Monday. Getting vaccinated provides the best defense against COVID-19, and this announcement brings us one step closer to the day when every Torontonian, in every area of our city, can quickly and easily access a vaccine.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Board of Health
My spring newsletter is out! Plus: free compost this weekend & 2024 Environment Days.
Read my latest update on engagement and enforcement activities at Tommy Thompson Park and the Leslie Street Spit.
