Shoppers Drug Mart locations to host 24-hour vax-a-thon

Twenty 24-hour locations to participate

Yorkregion.com
July 23, 2021
Megan DeLaire

For Ontarians who want to get vaccinated against COVID-19 but have struggled to find the time, 20 Shoppers Drug Mart locations throughout Ontario will host a 24-hour vax-a-thon July 24.

The chain’s 24-hour locations -- in Ajax, Brampton, Etobicoke, Hamilton, Mississauga, Niagara Falls, North York, Oakville, Oshawa, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Windsor and Woodbridge -- will offer Moderna shots on a walk-in basis to residents 18 and older. The campaign aims to administer thousands of vaccinations in a single day and reach Ontarians who are struggling to book an appointment during traditional hours.

"Ontarians have stepped up in droves over the past few months to be vaccinated against COVID-19, many of them in our stores. But we know there's still a gap, particularly with those aged 18 to 29, and some of that stems from access and availability," said Sarah Ahmad, Shoppers Drug Mart's senior vice president of health and wellness.

"For 24 hours, our stores will host walk-in appointments for first or second shots, on a first-come, first-served basis. We know there's still demand, and we want to continue to be part of the solution."

Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore reported on July 20 that about 2.5 million eligible Ontarians remain unvaccinated against COVID-19, and that the risk of contracting COVID-19 in June was 4.7 times higher for unvaccinated individuals compared to those who were fully vaccinated.

To find the nearest vax-a-thon location to you, visit covid-19.shoppersdrugmart.ca/stores/vax-a-thon.