Durham to expand vaccine booking for people 60 and older; hot spot residents 50 and older on Thursday

Even populations who qualified to book appointments under the Durham Region Health Department’s criteria where unable to book slots on Wednesday as all appointments were filled.

Regional chairman John Henry said the Region is working to catch up with the premier’s announcement. He said vaccine appointments will be open to people 60 and older on Thursday. People who live in a hot spot area of Ajax or Pickering—postal codes L1S, L1T, L1V, L1X and L1Z—will be able to book vaccination for anyone 50 and older on Thursday. The new booking slots will open at 6 p.m.

“The challenge is that announcements are made and there’s no consultations with us at all so we find out when the statements are made, the public hears about it and they’re looking and thinking they can get onto the system right away,” he said, adding that he wishes the province would notify Durham before making the announcement.

Durham administers its own vaccine booking system and is not on the province’s booking system.

As to the number of available appointment slots, it depends on the amount of vaccine doses allocated to Durham, said Henry.

Eligible residents can book appointments at www.durhamvaccinebooking.ca or call 1-888-444-5113 if assistance is needed to book. Bookings for both groups will open on April 8 at 6 p.m. for appointments that begin on April 13.

People in their 50s who live in hot spot communities must book appointments in Ajax or Pickering and will be required to show proof of address. 

Health department officials are also working with community partners in Ajax and Pickering to expand vaccinations to more settings including places of worship, mobile pop-up clinics, pop-up clinics provided through Carea Community Health Centre in Ajax and Pickering, and through primary care physicians. All residents 55 and older can also continue to book AstraZeneca vaccines through participating pharmacies.