Local COVID-19 vaccine mass immunization clinics begin winding down

Whitby, Ontario – Effective Aug. 14, Durham Region Health Department will begin winding down local COVID-19 vaccine mass immunization clinics, giving community members a few more weeks to get their first or second dose at one of these clinics.

Walk-in opportunities for either first or second doses continue to be available at all mass immunization clinics for anyone 12 and older. People are also still able to book appointments at www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment or call 1-888-444-5113. Individuals who have an appointment booked at a mass immunization clinic after the date that the clinic closes will be contacted by phone or email about where they can receive their vaccination.

“Local mass immunization clinics are no longer filling up, signaling the need to phase out large scale clinics,” explained Dr. Robert Kyle, Durham Region Medical Officer of Health. “As the need for large mass immunization clinics comes to an end, there will still be many opportunities for residents to get vaccinated.”

Health Department vaccine clinics are being planned on a smaller scale to be available in the community for those who have waited or been unable to access mass immunization clinics. These additional clinics will be posted at www.durham.ca/covidvaccines by Aug. 13. Additionally, pharmacies and some primary care providers continue to offer vaccine in the community. Local mass immunization clinics will be closing as follows:

• Rick MacLeish Memorial Community Centre, Cannington
  Last clinic date: Aug. 14; clinic closes Aug. 15

• Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex Arena, Pickering
  Last clinic date: Aug. 20; clinic closes: Aug. 21

• Uxbridge Arena & Recreation Centre, Uxbridge
  Last clinic date: Aug. 21; clinic closes: Aug. 22

• McKinney Recreation Centre, Whitby
  Last clinic date: Aug. 23; clinic closes: Aug. 24

• Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Centre, Bowmanville
  Last clinic date: Aug. 25; clinic closes: Aug. 26

• Scugog Arena, Scugog
  Last clinic date: Aug. 28; clinic closes: Aug. 29

• Ontario Tech Campus Ice Centre, Oshawa
  Last clinic date: Sept. 14; clinic closes: Sept. 15

• Audley Recreation Centre, Ajax
  Last clinic date: Sept. 16; clinic closes: Sept. 17

Since March, local mass immunization clinics have been operating daily and have administered over 687,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines. As of Aug 6, 23 per cent of Durham residents 12 and older still need to get their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 32 per cent need to get their second dose to be fully vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for anyone 12 years and older. All Durham Region residents are urged to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others against variants of concerns, including the Delta variant which is circulating in Durham Region. It is important for residents to get vaccinated at their earliest opportunity and everyone is encouraged to get their second dose as soon as they are eligible. Individuals who received Pfizer vaccine for their first dose would be eligible for their second dose 21 days after the first dose; those who received Moderna vaccine as their first dose would be eligible for their second dose 28 days following their first dose.

For more information and updates on COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Durham Region, visit www.durham.ca/covidvaccines.

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For more information, please contact the Health Department.