700 new pharmacies added to vaccine roll out for hot spot areas, including York Region

AstraZeneca vaccine shots available as soon as this coming week, bringing the total number to 1,400

Yorkregion.com
April 12, 2021
Heidi Reidner

The province is doubling the number of pharmacies involved in the vaccine effort.

The Ford government announced April 11 that 700 new pharmacies in COVID-19 hot spots will start offering the AstraZeneca vaccine as soon as this coming week, bringing the total number to 1,400.

It says the expansion will help vaccinate those 55 or older, who are currently the only ones cleared to receive the AstraZeneca shot.

The province says it hopes to add another 100 pharmacies to the vaccine effort by the end of the month.

"We are enabling Ontarians to access vaccines conveniently and closer to home by bringing more distribution channels on board," said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones in a release. "With the increasing spread of variants of concern and case counts in the thousands each day, we encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated and protect yourself and your family. For those still waiting, please be patient as your turn is coming."

To find the nearest pharmacy offering vaccinations, visit: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations.

Meanwhile, York Region Chair Wayne Emerson sent out an urgent appeal to provincial Health Minister Christine Elliot just days before the provincial announcement in response to a “serious” supply shortage of the Moderna vaccine affecting public health vaccinations clinics in York.

“Without additional vaccine, we will not expand fully to protect the remaining eight of 13 provincially identified hot spot areas, including residents and essential workers such as those working in manufacturing plants and educators,” Emmerson said in a letter to the minister April 9.

The delay of the shipment that had been expected April 12 resulted in the closure of four vaccination clinics in the region, including the drive-thru site at Canada’s Wonderland, two-physician led clinics and one located in Georgina until further notice.

“This is not the only example of vaccine delays we have experienced since beginning vaccinations two weeks in advance of provincial booking coming online,” Emmerson said.

“Given this acute need for our clinics to continue vaccinating prioritized groups, we appeal both to you, Minister, and to all our York Region MPPs, for your assistance to acquire any vaccines that can be directed to York Region before next week and keep our clinics fully operational.”

As of April 7, the region’s vaccination strategy has resulted in 224,163 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered to York Region residents.