Health Department expands eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine to residents 65+

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Region Health Department is expanding eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine to area residents 65 and older, or those who will be turning 65 in 2021. While the Health Department recently expanded eligibility to individuals in the Highest-Risk and High-Risk Health Conditions groups and residents in High Risk Congregate Living Settings, it has been determined that there are available spots to now proceed with bookings for those who are 65 and older. Bookings for residents 65-plus will open on April 3 at 11 a.m. for appointments that begin on April 4. For a full list of current priority groups visit www.durham.ca/covidvaccines. Individuals in these eligibility groups can book appointments at www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment. Residents who need assistance to book an appointment can call 1-888-444-5113.

Durham Region residents are welcome to attend a clinic in any area municipality. Appointments are available at Health Department clinics in Ajax, Clarington, Pickering and Whitby. These clinics operate daily from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Clinics in north Durham – Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge – operate on a rotating basis, with one clinic scheduled for Brock and two clinics each scheduled for Scugog and Uxbridge every week. For this weekend, April 3, 4 and 5, the Health Department is providing additional appointment bookings in north Durham clinics to provide increased access for residents in these communities. Clinics in north Durham also operate from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. To book an appointment for any municipal clinic, visit www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment. Residents who need assistance to book an appointment can call 1-888-444-5113. See www.durham.ca/covidvaccines for a full list of clinics and addresses. 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.

Appointments are also available for the Oshawa site located at Durham College/Ontario Tech University Campus Ice Centre, 2000 Simcoe Street North. To book an appointment for this location visit covidvaccine.lh.ca or call 905-721-4828; this clinic operates daily from 7:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

It should be noted that while the province also has a provincial booking system for COVID-19 vaccination appointments, Durham Region residents who access the provincial booking system will be transferred back to the Durham Region booking system. It is recommended that area residents continue to use www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment or call 1-888-444-5113 to book appointments. The ongoing operation of 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.

- 30 -

For more information, please contact the Health Department