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'Why are they making this so complicated?' York Region residents confused over 18+ appointments

Thestar.com
April 15, 2021
Kim Zarzour

York Region residents who are in the 18-plus age group and booked vaccine appointments in York Region are expressing frustration and confusion after learning the immunization clinics may have jumped the gun.

When the province announced last week that anyone over age 18 who lived in a designated hot spot could get an appointment, Zev Wasserman leaped at the opportunity.

The 25-year-old Vaughan resident lives in the L4J postal code, one of five selected by the region from the province’s hot spot list for its high priority community vaccination strategy.

Word had quickly spread on the Twitter account Vaccine Hunters Canada that York Region had made spaces available to the younger age group in certain neighbourhoods hit hard by the coronavirus.

Like many young people who’d been waiting for a chance, Wasserman got a notification alert from the Twitter site Tuesday and immediately went to the region's online booking portal.

He clicked through to the clinics operated by Mackenzie Health and Southlake Regional Health Centre and saw the message that the clinics were currently vaccinating, among others, “those 18 years of age and older living in high-priority communities (hot spots)”.

He clicked and clicked and clicked some more until he finally nabbed a spot.

Wasserman shared the good news with friends and they, too, booked spots.

Problem is, those spots are not really available.

Further details, released by the province April 13, clarified that the hot spot vaccinations for younger groups will be through mobile teams and pop-up clinics in targeted settings beginning in Peel and Toronto.

That news had many York Region residents, who’d secured vaccine appointments, bewildered, returning to social media to try to figure out what it all meant.

“When I booked, it was a very relieving and exciting moment,” said Julian De Angelis, 24. “Now I am very concerned that I might not be getting it. Also, l live and work in two different postal codes, which are both considered hot spot zones. And being part of a younger age bracket, it honestly feels like I'll never get the vaccine if it weren't for this booking I just made.”

“It’s all very confusing,” Wasserman agreed. “I live an hour away, have to take off work, do I drive all the way there, show up and get turned away?”

In an email to yorkregion.com, Mackenzie Health and Southlake said the hospitals are supporting York Region Public Health in the rollout of vaccines.

“The booking system for the vaccination centres led by Southlake and Mackenzie Health listed some incorrect eligibility criteria. We apologize for any confusion this has caused and we have updated this page to clarify.”

The incorrect information has been corrected.

Asked if residents with appointments will be turned away, the hospitals responded, “we ask that only those who meet the eligibility criteria posted to York.ca/COVID19Vaccine book appointments and come to the vaccine clinics. Any residents who booked appointments, but do not meet the current eligibility criteria are asked to cancel their appointments and re-book when they become eligible.”

Clear as mud, says Wasserman, pointing out that social media is full of chatter from people wondering whether to cancel or just take their chances and turn up on appointment day.

Thornhill MPP Gila Martow said it’s one of many mix-ups revolving around the vaccination process.

Martow said she has heard from a special education teacher who was turned away despite having proof of being in a hot spot because the portal allowed her to book a day before eligibility was opened up, spouses unable to book spots together and PSWs turned away because they were not registered with the LIHN.

“Why are they making this so complicated? Don’t we want to just get people vaccinated?”

Martow points to other online booking sites, such as airlines and medical labs, that have figured it out.

“The software is out there. We aren’t reinventing the wheel here.”