The province announced on Mar. 28 that it was extending booking for COVID-19 vaccination appointments to individuals aged 70 and over, through its online booking system and call centre, in 11 additional public health units beginning Monday,  Mar. 29.

The Grey Bruce Health Unit was listed as one of the 11 regions.

“Thanks to the careful planning of everyone involved in the vaccine rollout, we are able to extend vaccination appointments to more Ontarians ahead of schedule,” said Christine Elliott, deputy premier and minister of health. “But until Ontario receives enough vaccines so that the majority of Ontarians can be vaccinated, it remains critical for everyone to continue following public health measures, so that we can control the spread. Please, continue to wear a face covering, practice physical distancing and wash your hands to help keep our communities and loved ones safe.”

The release stated that as of Mar. 27, more than three-quarters of Ontario residents, aged 80 and over, had received at least one dose. Over a third of residents aged 75 to 79 have received their first shot.

As vaccine supply is delivered across the province and additional public health units begin vaccinating individuals aged 70 and over, vaccine administration rates may differ based on local context. Rollout and timing has been further impacted by the latest delay in shipment of the Moderna vaccine, initially planned for March 30 but now delayed until April 7. For more information on local vaccine rollout, individuals are encouraged to contact their local public health unit.

Ontario continues to work with public health units to vaccinate remaining Phase One populations, including First Nation, Metis and Inuit adults, health care workers, adult chronic home care recipients and residents and staff in congregate care settings for seniors. Public health units have been directed to consider accessibility issues in their plans and have local solutions, including utilizing mobile clinics and transportation services.

As of Mar. 28, Ontario had received 1,454,310 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, 323,200 doses of the Moderna vaccine and 194,500 doses of the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine. By April 2021, the province is expecting to receive 1,584,180 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 751,500 doses of the Moderna vaccine.

Ontario’s exact allocations and delivery timing for the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines, as well as delivery timing for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine after March, are pending confirmation from the federal government and are not known at this time.

To book a vaccine appointment, eligible individuals should visit the website Ontario.ca/bookvaccine or call the provincial vaccine information line at 1-888-999-6488. The toll-free line is open Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and can provide assistance in 300 languages.