York Region's COVID-19 vaccine rollout rocky but rapid

Seniors struggle with tech issues, frigid weather on the 1st day of vaccination appointments

Yorkregion.com
March 3, 2021
Kim Zarzour

It may not have been pretty -- in fact it got downright ugly for some seniors struggling with tech issues or huddled in windy lineups -- but York Region managed to book vaccine appointments for almost half of its residents who are older than 80 within 90 minutes of opening its booking site.

And by the time the province gets its official booking system up and running later this month, the region may have already completed offering shots to all 45,000 residents in that most vulnerable age group.

That said, it was not without its glitches.

Social media was afire March 1 with heartbreaking stories of 90-year-olds bringing their laptops to Ray Twinney Recreation Complex in Newmarket, hoping for help signing in; long lineups at Richmond Green, where elderly people -- some in wheelchairs -- shivered in the cold, and similar scenes at the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital vaccine site, where seniors were finally ushered inside, only to be crammed together in a very COVID-unsafe way.

Rather than wait for the province to open its booking portal, York Region opted to adapt an existing online booking system to get a head start.

Bookings began at 8 a.m. March 1 and by 9:30 a.m., all appointments at five COVID-19 vaccination clinics were taken, said Patrick Casey, the region's director of corporate communications.

Many criticized the region for expecting its oldest residents to be able to navigate online technology, and others brainstormed ways they could volunteer to help.

Brady Sage volunteered to signed up three seniors on his street in Vaughan. It’s the kind of neighbourliness Newmarket Mayor John Taylor would like to see more of in the next round.

It may not be logistically feasible to organize a volunteer brigade for sign-ups, he said, but if you are having trouble, or want to help, "reach out to people, neighbours, friends, former colleagues. Anyone can do it for you".

 

"We recognize online booking is not ideal for all residents," Casey said, adding, on top of the online booking system, phone support has been made available for each of the five clinic locations.

Casey said it was "unfortunate" to see many residents waiting outside and officials are looking for ways to improve, but there is limited waiting-room space available due to COVID-19 health measures.

Residents are asked not to arrive more than 10 minutes early. They may wait in their cars, but should dress for the weather and remember to maintain physical distances.

Taylor said the region is looking into ways to better manage lineups with more in-person support, seating or sheltered waiting areas.

"Out of respect for those over 80 who contributed to our communities, they need that bit of support in challenging circumstances and it’s incumbent on us to make this the least stressful as possible."

Taylor said he is proud of the "phenomenal" work by the region and hospital staff to get ahead of the race to vaccinate.

Kamil Czuba agreed.

"Everyone knew it was going to be a mad dash right out of the gate. Hopefully things get a little better each time a booking window opens up," the Newmarket resident said. "I'd rather it get fully booked with people turned away, than only 50 per cent booked with potential waste."

Shoshana Friedman, of Newmarket, also focused on the positive.

"I think everyone is just so frustrated and tired especially given the length of this pandemic. But, in all fairness to our local government, I think that frustration is being completely misdirected. No one would have gotten any appointments had the region not taken the initiative to start things early. It wasn't perfect, but it was something and it'll get better."