Ontario Expanding Eligibility for COVID-19 Vaccines and Adding More Pharmacies

Friday, 19 March 2021 11:29

By ChrisM

The Province announced today that seniors 75 and over can now book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine and they will adding another 350 pharmacies in the next two weeks who can administer the Astra-Zeneca vaccine.

ONTARIO - The Ontario Government is expanding appointments through its online booking system to people 75 and older starting on Monday.

Premier Doug Ford says over 50 percent of Ontario residents aged 80 and over have now received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

"The progress we are making on our Vaccine Distribution Plan demonstrates what can be done when we unleash the full potential of Team Ontario. Thanks to the efforts of an army of frontline health care heroes and volunteers, we are getting needles in arms even faster than we had imagined. All we need now is a steady and reliable supply of vaccines from the Federal government to ensure anyone who wants one, gets one as soon as possible so we can all stay safe."

The Province is also expanding the pharmacy program with the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine. Another 350 pharmacies will be brought on board in the next two weeks bringing the total to 700 locations. It is expected that this number would again be doubled to approximately 1,500 by the end of April. Right now we do not have any pharmacies in Oxford County, London, K/W, Norfolk County, Brant County, Brantford or Perth County participating. The Province has not yet provided a list of new pharmacies that will be taking part. More details are expected in the coming days.

The province continues to expect a high volume of traffic on its online booking system. Everyone is eager to receive the vaccine, but those not yet eligible for a vaccine are being asked to avoid accessing the booking system or calling the service desk to allow those that are eligible the opportunity to book an appointment.