WATCH: Ontario further expanding COVID-19 vaccine distribution with increased deliveries from the feds

Increased deliveries of COVID-19 vaccines to Ontario means the province is further expanding COVID-19 rollout, Health Minister Christine Elliott said this afternoon.

The province is proceeding with the launch of mobile vaccine units for small to medium-sized businesses in hot spot communities, in Toronto, York and Peel at select businesses that have employees who cannot work from home and have a history or risk of outbreaks. There will be up to five units to start, with  a possible expansion to 15.

“The new mobile units for at-risk businesses are another step in our efforts to get more people in priority areas vaccinated as conveniently and as quickly as possible,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones in a news release. “These mobile units are designed to be rapidly deployed to a diversity of small to medium-sized workplaces and will help strengthen our capacity to reach areas where the need is greatest.”

Employer-led workplace vaccination clinics organized by large companies such as Maple Lodge Farms, Maple Leaf Foods and Amazon Canada in Peel Region have been completed or are underway. In partnership with Peel Public Health, Loblaw Companies, Walmart Canada, HelloFresh, Magna, Air Canada and Purolator Inc. are also setting up workplace vaccination clinics this month for workers who cannot work from home. 

“With a stable and reliable supply of vaccines expected this month, our government is further accelerating our vaccine rollout with a focus on individuals and settings most at risk,” said Health Minister Christine Elliott.

More than 5.5 million Ontarians have now been vaccinated, with the province saying it’s on track to have administered first doses to 65 per cent of Ontarians aged 18 and over by the end of May.

Thanks to the increased supply, the province said it is expanding use of the Moderna vaccine to the pharmacies this week, with locations in hot spot areas of Durham, Hamilton, Ottawa, Windsor-Essex and York for those aged 18 and over. 

“Further expansion of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in the pharmacy channel will continue through May,” Ontario said.

As of May 6, booking eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine appointments opens to individuals aged 50 and over, individuals with high-risk health conditions, Group One of people who cannot work from home and, in addition to the other channels previously available to book their appointment, First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals. Appointments can be booked through the provincial booking system and booking line or directly through public health units that use their own booking system.

In other vaccine news, as of May 4, the province said more than 92 per cent of Ontario residents aged 80 and over and 90 per cent of residents aged 75 to 79 having received at least one dose. More than 43 per cent of the population aged 18 and over have received at least one dose and over 381,000 Ontarians are fully immunized, including 95 per cent of long-term care residents.

Eligible groups can use Ontario’s vaccine booking system to find out how to schedule an appointment, or can call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line number at 1-833-943-3900. 

For general inquiries, individuals can call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line number at 1-888-999-6488. 

The Provincial Vaccine Booking Line and Information Line are open Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is capable of providing assistance in 300 languages