Newmarket mayor quick to get his AstraZeneca COVID-19 jab

Newmarkettoday.ca
April 6, 2021

If you don’t like a lockdown or if you want people to be safer, the best way to get both results is to get vaccinated,' encourages John Taylor

Newmarket Mayor John Taylor didn't hesitate to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they became available for York Region residents aged 55 and older.

"I have always said that I will wait for my turn to get vaccinated but when my turn arrives, I will not wait," said Taylor, who yesterday received his dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine after making an appointment at Robins IDA on Main Street Newmarket.

With a provincewide shutdown in place since last Saturday for at least 28 days, Taylor is encouraging residents to "step and support your community" by getting immunized when eligible.

"If people over 55 are able to take the Astra Zeneca, then it frees up other vaccines for those under 55," he said. "We can save lives and businesses by getting vaccinated. If you don’t like a lockdown or if you want people to be safer, the best way to get both results is to get vaccinated."

The province announced last week that nearly 380 additional pharmacies would be offering the AstraZeneca vaccine to residents aged 55 and older as phase 2 of the vaccination distribution plan kicked off Saturday, April 3.

The mayor is eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine due to his age --  "I know it is hard to believe I am over 55," he added in jest.

Taylor said he was quick to step up because he also wanted to demonstrate his trust in the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine, as there have been concerns raised in the U.K. about its possible link to blood clots.

However, the AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved by Health Canada and is recommended for residents 55 years of age and older by the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations.

"The best advice I have heard on which vaccine to get is that the best vaccine is the one you can get first," Taylor said. "Dr. Isaac Bogoch (infectious disease expert and member of Ontario's COVID-19 Science Advisory Table) and Health Canada have stated that 300,000 doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca have been administered in Canada without a single case of any type of blood clotting."

York Region has a supply of approximately 58,000 AstraZeneca doses from the province, which has been allocated to 37 pharmacies.

Residents aged 55 and older can book appointments on the select pharmacy websites or by calling the pharmacies directly.

Newmarket pharmacy locations include:

Shoppers Drug Mart at 20 Davis Dr.
Robins IDA Pharmacy, 191 Main St.
Real Canadian Superstore (Loblaw) Pharmacy, 18120 Yonge St.
Rexall, 16900 Yonge St.
Pharmacies in Aurora, East Gwillimbury, including the Costco pharmacy on Yonge Street, Keswick, Sutton, King City, Stouffville, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Markham, Woodbridge and Maple are also offering the vaccine.

A full list of participating pharmacies and appointment booking information are available at ontario.ca/pharmacycovidvaccine