COVID vaccinations expand to those 70 and older

Seniors 70 years old and over can now get a COVID shot in Hamilton.

Hamilton and Niagara were among 10 public health units chosen by the province for an expanded rollout Monday to those born in 1951 and earlier.

Some regions such as Halton, Toronto and York have already started vaccinating residents 70 and up. Previously the minimum age was 75.

Seniors can use the province's online and phone appointment system to get into one of Hamilton's three mass vaccination clinics at FirstOntario Centre, the West Fifth Campus of St. Joseph's Healthcare and the Hamilton Health Sciences clinic at 293 Wellington St. across from Hamilton General.

To book go to https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ or call 1-888-999-6488.

The City of Hamilton encourages everyone to self-register online if able to so, it's the quickest process to get an appointment," public health said in a statement.

Indigenous adults, residents without a valid Ontario photo health card and those looking to book into one of Hamilton's mobile clinics need to call the city's hotline instead at 905-974-9848, option 7 to book an appointment.

Due to potential call volumes expected at the call centre, we ask that those who are calling for an appointment are patient and call back if the lines are busy," said public health. The hotline is trying to focus on those without health cards and those without computer access. These are all by-appointment only clinics, walk-ins are not permitted."

Mobile clinics booked through the city are running March 31 to April 4 in: Stoney Creek (Saltfleet Community Centre); Glanbrook/Mount Hope (Municipal Service Centre); Ancaster (Ancaster Rotary Club); Dundas (Dundas Community Centre); and Waterdown/Flamborough (Harry Howell Arena).

Roughly 12 per cent of eligible Hamiltonians have received at least one dose of vaccine so far.

We need to work together to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community, to reserve health care and hospital capacity and to protect vulnerable settings," said public health.

The other public health units where the age has been lowered include: Grey Bruce; Peel; Ottawa; Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Public Health; Lambton Public Health; Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit; Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit; and Timiskaming Health Unit.

Joanna Frketich is a Hamilton-based reporter covering health for The Spectator. Reach her via email: jfrketich@thespec.com