UPDATE: What you need to know about booking a COVID-19 vaccine appointment in York Region

Three sites - Vaughan, Markham and Newmarket begin immunizing those over 80 March 1

Yorkregion.com
March 1, 2021
Kim Zarzour

York Region residents over age 80 who want the COVID-19 vaccine can book an online appointment as early as 8 a.m. Mar. 1.

Dr. Karim Kurji said the vaccines will be by appointment only and can be booked through an existing online system -- at york.ca/covid19vaccine.

The region is getting a two-week head start on the rest of the province.

Retired Gen. Rick Hillier, provincial COVID-19 vaccine distribution task force chair, announced Feb. 24 that Ontario residents over 80 would start getting immunized March 15, the same date the provincial call centre and booking systems became operational.

But the region has different plans, with vaccines ready for this newly eligible priority group -- anyone born in 1941 or earlier -- and Kurji said Hillier gave it the thumbs up.

Vaccinations will take place at three locations: Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, Cornell Community Centre in Markham, and Ray Twinney Recreation Complex in Newmarket.

As more vaccines become available, the region expects to increase the number of clinics.

“This is a very positive step forward. We are moving aggressively to vaccinate as many as possible within the province’s identified priority populations as vaccine supply becomes available. We are being as nimble as we can using different delivery models depending on the supplies of vaccines and the groups we need to immunize.”

Kurji said he had hoped the provincial booking system and call centre would have been ready earlier, but “those systems are extremely difficult to design and implement.  And understandably there may have been delays.”

Rather than wait, the region has a contingency plan to move forward with online appointment booking for two weeks, after which the region will transition over to the "more robust" provincial system.

Residents will be given options for scheduling appointments as soon as they begin the booking process with some vaccines starting as early as Mar. 1.

Proof of age and residence will be required on the day you receive your vaccine. Residents are also asked to bring OHIP cards (health cards) if they have one.

Residents 80 years of age and older who are not able or comfortable booking an online appointment are encouraged to seek out a support person (caregiver, family member or friend) who can assist in booking this appointment on their behalf.

Kurji cautioned residents to be patient and “go at it slowly. We need to be wary of the fact that we don’t want any systems to come crashing as a result of too much of a rush to get in at the same time.”

Walk-in appointments are not available and residents who visit a vaccination clinic without an appointment will be turned away.

Residents are advised not to phone in and risk overwhelming phone systems.

Public health and hospitals’ ability to take calls from the public is “very, very limited,” he said. “In fact, if they did call, chances are there will be quite long delays. But this is a price we pay in order to start our immunization program for the age group right away.”

There aren’t enough vaccines available yet to open up additional public health clinics until March 15, at which point more vaccine is expected and a variety of sites are designated to distribute including Richmond Green in Richmond Hill, Maple Community Centre, Aaniin Community Centre in Markham, the Georgina Ice Palace and Canada’s Wonderland.

A small working group at public health is looking into ways to get the vaccines to homebound individuals. It may involve working with community physicians or paramedics and depends on the movability and fragility of the particular vaccine.

If all goes well, Kurji said, all 80-year-olds -- almost 45,000 residents -- should be able to get the vaccine within five weeks.

When this age group is completed, the region will move in five-year time intervals beginning with those 75 to 80.

“We would have to lean on family and friends who can access technology to assist in the booking of these appointments and if somebody brings an over-80 individual to the clinic, they should not expect to be immunized as well because the vaccines are in short supply and need to prioritize those most at risk of dying,” said Kurji.

Several councillors voiced concern about “vaccine anxiety” in the community, as residents worry when it will be their turn.

“There's an anxiousness," said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. "It is a matter of life and death for many in our community and they've been waiting for this moment."

Kurji said details are still being worked out and the region is creating a communication strategy to be released in the coming days to ensure all residents understand what is required to get vaccines.

“Speed is better than perfection, so we will have some issues,” said regional chairperson Wayne Emmerson. “The road will get bumpy, but Dr. Kurji’s saying we’ve got to get it into the arms and we’ve got permission from the general to do that.”