Durham Region residents aged 80 and older will be able to schedule COVID-19 vaccination appointments starting Monday (March 8).
With the vaccine still in limited supply, clinics will only be offered at two locations as of Tuesday (March 9) – the Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex in Clarington or the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex in Pickering.
The Oshawa clinic site, at Durham College and Ontario Tech University, is currently completing vaccination for health care providers and is expected to transition to individuals 80 years and older early next week.
“Vaccinating our most vulnerable senior residents is of the utmost importance, and we are thrilled to be starting the COVID-19 vaccination process. While this is very hopeful news, this is just the first step in the long road ahead of us to vaccinate as many Durham Region residents as possible,” said Regional Chair John Henry.
“The infrastructure laid out during this first phase will be crucial to the further rollout of the vaccine in the near future. Please continue to make informed decisions to keep yourself, family, friends and neighbours safe until the vaccine rollout is completed.”
“We’re very pleased to be offering COVID-19 vaccine to the 80 and older population as outlined in the province’s vaccine distribution plan. As soon as we receive more vaccine and the province gives the go ahead to begin additional Phases of the vaccination process, health department staff will be prepared to move to the next designated priority group. We ask for everyone’s patience as we work through each Phase of the plan to help us ensure that everyone in our community has access to COVID-19 vaccine,” added Dr. Robert Kyle, Durham Region’s medical officer of health.
Individuals over the age of 80, born in 1941 or earlier, can begin registering through the online booking system at http://www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment on Monday, March 8 for appointments that start on Tuesday, March 9. Seniors who are unable to use the online booking system are invited to call the Call Centre Booking Line at 1-800-841-2729 to register.
The health department is also planning to offer mobile clinics to provide vaccine to populations and individuals who may have difficulty accessing larger clinics. More details will be available in the coming weeks.
Locations have also been selected for future community-based vaccination clinics in all eight Durham municipalities.
