'Tremendous progress': York Region vaccinates more than one-third of residents 80 and older

Yorekregion.com
March 10, 2021

York Region has stopped booking second dose appointments for those who get their first COVID-19 vaccines, following recommendations by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

The Committee, an advisory body to the Public Health Agency of Canada, is now advising the dose interval can safely be extended to four months to allow more people to receive vaccines.

In response to an announcement by the provincial government that it would be following this recommendation, York Region Public Health has removed information about second dose appointments from its website and stopped booking second appointments as of Mar. 4, said Patrick Casey, Director, Corporate Communications.

A decision is still required on second-dose appointments booked at York Region-led clinics between Mar. 1 and Mar. 3, Casey said.

The region will continue working with local hospitals and those in other jurisdictions to ensure a co-ordinated and planned approach to second-dose appointments, he said.

As soon as this information is available, members of York Region council will be notified and the york.ca/covid19 website will be updated, he said.

The region is making “tremendous progress” in vaccinating those who are most vulnerable and at risk of acquiring COVID-19, Dr. Karim Kurji, medical officer of health, said Monday.

Residents of long-term care, retirement homes, congregate living centres and the Chippewas of Georgina Island have been immunized and, so far, 35 per cent of York Region’s 45,000 residents 80 and older.

On Mar. 8, another 3,000-plus residents were able to book appointments at Richmond Green and Georgina Ice Palace.

“We know residents are anxious and eager, but we ask for your patience,” he said. “We are working very hard to reach York Region residents aged 80-plus who are homebound and cannot travel to a clinic. We’ve not forgotten anyone. We continue to follow the prioritization guidance from the province and work with all our partners to reach all of our residents as soon as we can.”

Supplies are limited and vaccines currently being administered, Pfizer and Moderna, have strict cold storage and transportation requirements

As more vaccine supplies are made available, more appointments will open up to residents in the current Phase 1 priority group, Casey said.

Residents in the eligible group are advised to check the region’s online booking system york.ca/covid19vaccine often, as a few appointments occasionally become available due to no-shows and cancellations, Kurji said.

Those who are able to secure appointments are advised to arrive no more than 10 minutes ahead of time and be prepared to be at the clinic for 60 to 90 minutes.