Health Department expands eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine to residents 60+

Vaccine also available for community hotspots identified in Ajax and Pickering

Whitby, Ontario - Durham Region Health Department is expanding eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine to area residents 60 and older, or those who will be turning 60 in 2021. Eligibility for vaccine now also includes residents 50-plus living in “hotspots” in Ajax and Pickering in several postal code areas as identified by the province including L1S, L1T, L1V, L1X and L1Z. Individuals in the identified hotspots must register for appointments at either the Ajax or Pickering clinics as appointments have been reserved at these sites and must show proof of address when arriving at the clinic.

Residents in the Ajax and Pickering hotspots can book an appointment at www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment. Individuals who need assistance to book an appointment can call 1-888-444-5113. All other eligible Durham Region residents, which now includes individuals who are 60-plus, can book appointments at www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment or call 1-888-444-5113 if assistance is needed. Bookings for both groups will open on April 8 at 6 p.m. for appointments that begin on April 13.

The Health Department is also working with multiple community partners in the Ajax and Pickering area to provide access to vaccine in numerous settings including places of worship, mobile pop-up clinics, pop-up clinics provided through Carea in both Ajax and Pickering and primary care physicians. Residents are also able to book appointments through participating pharmacies; see https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations for pharmacy locations in Durham Region.

In addition to providing vaccine to the above expanded priority groups, access to vaccine will continue to be provided for individuals in the Highest-Risk and High-Risk Health conditions groups and residents in High Risk Congregate Living settings. For a full list of current priority groups visit www.durham.ca/covidvaccines.

Appointments are available at any community clinic in Ajax, Clarington, Pickering, Whitby and in north Durham in Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge by visiting www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment. Residents who need assistance to book an appointment can call 1-888-444-5113. Appointments are also available at the Oshawa site located at Durham College/Ontario Tech University Campus Ice Centre by visiting covidvaccine.lh.ca or calling 905-721-4828. Residents are asked to book only one appointment per person. Also, if you already have an appointment and choose to book for another time or at a different clinic location, please remember to cancel the first appointment to avoid duplication, helping to ensure appointments are available for everyone. The ongoing operation of Durham Region clinics is dependent on vaccine supply which is received from the province. For a listing of all clinic locations or for more information on the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan for Durham Region visit www.durham.ca/covidvaccines.

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For more information, please contact the Health Department