Skip to content

WATCH: Ontario ramps up vaccine rollout in hot spots in 114 'highly impacted' areas, including for those 18 and older

Mobile teams and pop-up clinics to begin targeting hot spots neighbourhoods, on-the-job clinics also in the works  

Ontario is ramping up vaccine rollout in highly impacted communities as part of the province's Phase Two COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan.

Speaking from a pop-up vaccine clinic at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Premier Doug Ford said Ontario has the infrastructure in place to distribute millions of doses a month, encouraging all those who are eligible to book their vaccines as soon as possible.

"The faster we get to that critical mass (of vaccinated people), the faster we can end lockdowns, open our schools and get life  back to normal," he said.

Joining Ford was Health Minister and Deputy Premier Christine Elliott, and Solicitor General Sylvia Jones.

Ford announced that 114 "highly impacted neighbourhoods", which are being identified by postal code, are being targeted for ramped up vaccine rollout.

Using a mix of mobile teams, mass vaccination clinics and pop-up clinics, Ontario is opening vaccinations in those hardest hit 114 neighbourhoods to all adults age 18 and older.

"Starting in Peel and Toronto, the province will be providing additional resources to support more mobile vaccination teams, expanding to hot spots in other public health units in the future," Ontario said in a news release.

These mobile teams and pop-up vaccine clinics will target high-risk congregate settings, residential buildings, and faith-based locations in hot spot neighbourhoods. 

"Upcoming mobile and pop-up clinics will be promoted locally within their target communities and local public health units, and will not use the provincial booking system," a press release from the province states.

Ontario also announced it is working to set up employer-operated job-site vaccine clinics, in conjunction with public health units, business groups and large employers, with a focus on hot spot communities at greatest risk. "These clinics will be set up, operated and funded by participating employers within hot spot areas and will vaccinate employees aged 18 and over as well as members of the local and neighbouring communities. This capacity will supplement publicly-run vaccination clinics," the province said.


What's next?


If you would like to apply to become a Verified reader Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.


Discussion