Toronto Public Health opening four vaccination clinics in the city

The health agency said that students who completed Grades 9 and 10 this year may not be up to date with their vaccinations.

Thestar.com
July 25, 2023
Marissa Brinie

Toronto Public Health (TPH) is opening four vaccination clinics across the city as it aims to keep children’s immunization on track.

TPH announced the new clinics in a press release last week.

Where are the vaccination clinics?

The four sites are Scarborough (410 Progress Ave.), Metro Hall (214 Wellington St.), Cloverdale Mall (250 The East Mall) and North York Civic Centre (5100 Yonge St.)

The clinics will offer vaccines including COVID-19, human papilloma virus, mpox, measles and others.

TPH said it “urges parents to prioritize their children’s vaccinations” and that the clinics are opening in a bid to restore pre-pandemic services, including immunization rates for children.

A July report from Public Health Ontario said the COVID-19 pandemic “caused significant disruptions to the delivery of routine immunizations,” including lower immunization rates for some students.

The report found a “large decline” in immunization coverage for much of Ontario’s public-funded immunization programs that start in infancy or early childhood, although it noted that under-reporting of immunizations between 2019 and 2022 may have impacted its analysis.

TPH said it has offered routine childhood vaccinations required by Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act at its clinics since February.

Students in Grades 7 to 12 who didn’t get vaccines at school can receive those vaccines at the fixed-site clinics. The health agency noted that students who completed Grades 9 or 10 this year may not be up to date with their vaccinations.

“TPH urges parents and guardians to prioritize their children’s health by getting their children’s vaccines back on track,” the health agency said.

The clinics will operate from Tuesday to Friday between noon and 6 p.m. and on Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. beginning Aug. 1.

Which vaccination clinics are closing?
The Jane Finch Mall and Eglinton Square clinics will close on July 22 and the Thorncliffe Hub clinic will close on July 29 as part of the transition.

Appointments for the clinics are available online, with walk-ins allowed depending on capacity.