The vaccine rollout continues to be top of mind for so many of us here in Davenport. Since the vaccine town hall I hosted last month, a lot has changed and constituents are coming to me with new questions every day.
In order to get up to date and accurate information, Councillor Ana Bailão and I will be hosting a town hall on vaccinations with Dr. Eileen De Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, this Thursday, April 15 at 6pm, to answer your questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and the roll out here in Davenport. (I have also included a brief update below).
Please register at maritstiles.ca/vaccinetownhall, and feel free to submit any questions that you may have: MStiles-QP@ndp.on.ca
Since last week's update to the vaccine rollout, I have been hearing from countless residents who are feeling frustrated, confused a desperate for answers on what this means for them. Despite the Premier's announcement that 18-49 year olds in hot-spot postal codes would be eligible, public health units and hospital partners were left to figure out the logistics with very short notice. We are still waiting for details on when and where these clinics will be.
The province has said that mobile and pop-up clinics for 18-49 year olds will administer the vaccines in high-risk congregate settings, residential buildings and faith-based locations in hot-spot neighbourhoods. They will be promoted locally within the target communities and will not use the provincial booking system.
A pre-registration system circulated today by University Health Network for those aged 18-49 with postal code starting with M5V, M6E, M6H has already been paused due to a lack of supply. This is concerning, and our Opposition caucus at Queen's Park challenged the government today on these delays.
We did receive more information about workplace vaccination clinics today, including the criteria for large workplaces in hot-spot areas, and how these employers can request a clinic. Read more here.
Despite the issues affecting the roll-out, people are being vaccinated through the city's mass clinics and at pharmacies and I encourage you to reach out to anyone you know in the current eligibility groups to ensure they are registered. As a reminder, here's who is currently eligible:
Adults aged 50 and over living in Davenport postal codes M6H, M6E, M6K, M6N are eligible to book an appointment at mass vaccination clinics or the following hospital sites:
University Health Network for M6E, M6H visit website or call 1-888-999-6488
Unity Health Toronto for M6K, M6N - visit website or call 1-888-999-6488
Adults aged 60 or over (born in 1961 or earlier) in all other postal codes can register using the provincial portal.
Adults aged 55 and over are eligible for the Astra-Zeneca vaccine available at select local pharmacies.
Indigenous Adults (16 years of age or older)
Adults receiving chronic home care
Education Workers living or working in hot-spot postal codes, or Education Workers directly working with students with special needs in any postal code, can book an appointment by calling the provincial Vaccination Phone Line: 1‑833‑943‑3900
