City of Toronto working with partners to roll out TTC bus vaccine clinics

@ Nita Sing
Mayor John Tory announced the City of Toronto and Toronto Public Health (TPH) have partnered with the TTC and Toronto Paramedic Services to further increase COVID-19 vaccination rates across the city with TTC bus vaccine clinics.
As part of the Team Toronto Mobile Strategy micro-targeted approach, TTC buses will be used as mobile vaccine clinics in high foot-traffic areas including TTC stations. These mobile vaccination clinics in TTC buses will be staffed by TPH and Toronto Paramedic Services.
Mayor Tory was joined by Board of Health Chair Joe Cressy at a TTC bus vaccine clinic outside apartment buildings at 20 Gamble Ave. in East York. Today’s clinic is run in partnership with TPH, Toronto Paramedic Services, the TTC, Michael Garron Hospital and The Neighbourhood Organization.

TPH and its Team Toronto partners will be holding over 100 clinics each week across the city, including a number of mobile vaccine clinics on TTC buses:
Harbourfront Centre, Saturday, September 4, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Harbourfront Centre, Sunday, September 5, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, 10 Queens Quay W., Saturday, September 4, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, 10 Queens Quay W., Sunday, September 5, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Islington TTC Station, Bloor Street West and Islington Avenue, Tuesday, September 7 to Thursday, September 9, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Warden TTC Station, 701 Warden Ave., Tuesday, September 7 to Thursday, September 9, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Westwood Middle School, 994 Carlaw Ave., Saturday, September 11, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
These locations were chosen based on high foot traffic by residents, and low vaccination uptakes within the neighbourhood. Dates and locations of future clinics will be promoted on the City’s social media channels.
Mobile clinics are one of many important ways to increase vaccination rates, in addition to community consortiums, vaccine engagement teams and the many community ambassadors who continue to address barriers to acceptance and increase uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in communities most negatively impacted by the virus. Each engagement team is made up of local community agencies that conduct outreach and support to residents, aligned with the unique demographic of each area and neighbourhood.
The City recently announced the data-driven expansion of the Team Toronto Mobile Strategy, targeting settings where residents work, study and play, places people commonly go, and neighbourhoods with low vaccine uptake with a focus on three specific age groups (ages 12 to 17, 25 to 49 and residents 65 and older).
As of August 30, 83 per cent of residents 12 and over have initiated their vaccination, with 76.6 per cent completed their vaccination series by receiving two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Given the recent increase in cases and ongoing spread of COVID-19 in the community, it is more important than ever that people get their vaccine, if they haven’t already. The vaccine is the best protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death. Getting vaccinated can help protect those who are vulnerable or not eligible for vaccinations including children under 11 years old and those who are immunocompromised. Residents are also encouraged to follow public health measures including staying home when sick, practising physical distancing and wearing a mask when physical distancing is not possible.