City of Toronto encouraging more than 753,000 eligible residents to get their booster dose to combat variants

The City of Toronto is encouraging more than 753,000 eligible residents to get their booster dose (third dose) of COVID-19 vaccine to combat variants and best protect themselves.

Toronto Public Health (TPH) is hosting many COVID-19 vaccination clinics this week and throughout the long weekend, to help as many residents as possible get their booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. A booster dose is important to prevent or reduce the impact of the current wave of illness from the BA.5 variant, especially among those who are at higher risk for getting very sick.

Data shows that residents with a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine had the lowest rate of hospitalization, compared to residents who were not vaccinated or were under-vaccinated. Right now, approximately 753,600 Torontonians ages 18 and older are eligible for a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Along with delivering booster doses to all eligible residents who come forward, Team Toronto is continuing to provide first and second doses and second booster shots to all eligible residents. Hundreds of residents are receiving their second booster shots every day in the wake of the Province opening up eligibility to all adults 18 and older.

Individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and who are high-risk should get their second booster as soon as possible. Individuals who have been infected with COVID-19 can wait three months before receiving their next dose.

Residents who choose to receive a second booster dose now can also receive a fall booster that is expected to be a new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada. It may offer more targeted protection against the Omicron variants.

TPH is offering many opportunities for people to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, partnering with festivals and events to provide pop-up COVID-19 clinics across the city this summer, including at today’s Under the Stars block party and movie event in Regent Park.

COVID-19 pop-up vaccination clinics will be available at the following events this week:

• Under the Stars, Regent Park, 620 Dundas St. E., Wednesday, July 27, 5 to 9 p.m.
• Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Marilyn Bell Park, 1095 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Saturday, July 30, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Ghana Fest Canada, Earl Bales Park, 4169 Bathurst St., Sunday, July 31, noon to 7 p.m.

These clinics are family-friendly and will provide first, second, third, fourth and paediatric COVID-19 doses to eligible residents. Pfizer and Moderna will be available. Clinics operate on a walk-in basis and no appointment or health card is required.

Bringing COVID-19 vaccines to events is part of Team Toronto’s ongoing equity-focused, hyper-local mobile strategy, providing accessible and convenient vaccination opportunities to residents in places where they live, work and play.

The six City-run COVID-19 immunization clinics continue to provide opportunities for vaccination. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are available. A health card is not needed. Summer hours are now in effect to better accommodate Toronto residents’ schedules:

• Metro Hall, 55 John St. and Crossroads Plaza, 2625 Weston Rd., Monday to Thursday, noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Cloverdale Mall, 250 The East Mall; Mitchell Field Community Centre, 89 Church Ave.; and 1940 Eglinton Ave. E., Tuesday to Friday, noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Thorncliffe Park Community Hub, 45 Overlea Blvd., Monday to Friday, noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.