Are you 80 years of age or older? You can now book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment
?The province's COVID-19 vaccine registration portal is now open for anyone turning 80 or older in 2021.
Anyone who fits the age bracket — or an individuals making appointments on their behalf — can now book an appointment either online at Ontario.ca/bookvaccine or by calling the province's vaccine information line number at 1-888-999-6488.
The vaccines will be administered at Niagara Region Public Health COVID-19 vaccination clinics during March and the first half of April are now available for booking through the provincial portal.
A Niagara Region news release said the vaccination clinics will “rotate to different communities at a frequency that mirrors the size of the 80-year-old and older population.”
Residents can book an appointment at any clinic across Niagara and can bring an essential caregiver with them to their appointment.
A green photo health (OHIP) card will be required to make the appointment. Both numbers on the front and back of the card are required. Expired green health cards will be accepted. Anyone who still has a red and white health card, or who requires assistance with booking, can call the vaccine information line.
Public Health is advising wait times are likely, both online and by phone.
The region's chief medical officer of health Dr. Mustafa Hirji is recommending everyone eligible who would like a vaccine to register as soon as possible.
“For one year, we’ve been anxiously awaiting a vaccination campaign that could tame this pandemic,” Hirji said.
“I encourage everyone eligible to register for their vaccine soon so that we can move on to opening bookings for the next age group. As well, I remind everyone, vaccinated or not, that we need to keep up our other efforts because COVID-19 is unfortunately on the rise once again. For just a couple more months, let’s stay home as much as possible, keep our distance when we do go out, and continue wearing our face coverings and washing our hands.”
Once an appointment is booked, on the day of their appointment residents will need
- The booking confirmation number or QR code from the provincial booking portal. Consider printing out this page or saving a screen shot to a mobile device to save having to write down the number.
- Their health card
- To wear a loose fitting top or t-shirt
- A mask
Those with appointments should arrive at least five minutes early. If residents arrive early, Public Health asks that they wait in their car until five minutes prior to their appointment time.
For more information, visit the Niagara Region Public Health COVID-19 vaccination page.
The first Niagara-on-the-Lake clinic will take place March 31 at the community centre from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The next two will take place April 1 and 9.