The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) is pleased to announce that starting May 6, 2021, residents 50 years of age and older, and Group 1 of essential workers who cannot work from home, can book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment using Ontario’s online booking system. All remaining individuals who are currently eligible to book a vaccine appointment are encouraged to do so by consulting our website to determine how they can book their appointment.

Individuals 50 Years of Age and Older, and Group 1 of Essential Workers Able to Book Online

On Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 8 a.m., Ontario’s vaccine booking system will begin to accept vaccine bookings for individuals who turn 50 or older in 2021 (born in 1971 or earlier), as well as for those who are part of group 1 of essential workers who cannot work from home. This group includes, but is not limited to:

• elementary and secondary school workers;

Booking will be available at www.Ontario.ca/bookvaccine. Individuals who require assistance with booking can call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1 888 999-6488. The booking system will screen for eligibility based on age using health card information and request an attestation from individuals from other priority groups. In accordance with the latest recommendations, those booking will be given appointments for first and second doses, 16 weeks apart.

Appointments can be made by an individual or with the help of someone. If you know someone who is part of an eligible group, please encourage them to get vaccinated. Those needing assistance with booking or getting to their COVID-19 vaccine appointment should visit our website to access local supports.

Cancelling or Re-scheduling an Appointment

Those who need to cancel or re-schedule a previously booked appointment should do so by following the process they used to book their original appointment and proceed to book a new series of appointments for their first and second dose.

Ongoing Collaboration

The EOHU appreciates that there is keen interest in receiving the vaccine. At this time, however, only eligible individuals can schedule an appointment. We ask the public to please help us keep the online tools and phone lines available for those who are eligible to book an appointment. Cooperation from the public will go a long way to help ensure local vaccination clinics can operate efficiently and effectively.

It remains extremely important to continue following public health precautions – even if you have received the vaccine – until a large majority of residents in our region have been vaccinated.

For the latest updates about COVID-19 vaccines, including which population groups are eligible to receive it and how to access it, please regularly visit the Eastern Ontario Health Unit’s website at www.EOHU.ca/vaccines.