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In response to the Province’s announcement to accelerate the rollout of its COVID-19 vaccine program (external link), Halton Region is moving forward with a vaccination schedule for the month of May to vaccinate those most at risk in the Halton community.

“Halton Region is pleased that we are able to offer appointments to more residents, including essential workers, as vaccine supply is expected to increase,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “Our ability to expand to more eligible groups remains dependent on ongoing and predictable supplies from both the Provincial and Federal governments. We have capacity in our Vaccination Clinics to vaccinate double what we are doing now if more supply was available.”

Halton’s vaccination schedule aligns with the Province’s direction to prioritize vaccination based on age and risk (external link). Halton is making essential workers a priority as there continues to be higher rates of infection among those who cannot work from home. Age also continues to be a predictor for a higher risk of severe illness and death. To protect the community and reduce risk for everyone, our plan will roll out appointment bookings to Halton residents in priority sequence as follows:

Halton Region Public Health will not be making exceptions and the plan is contingent on vaccine supply from the Federal and Provincial Governments.

“Opening appointments for essential workers, beginning with the oldest populations, will reduce transmission, severe illness and death and get us closer to achieving community protection,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health. “I encourage everyone to get vaccinated when it’s their turn. The best vaccine for you is the first one you are offered and the more people we are able to vaccinate each and every day, the closer we can get to returning to normal.”

Halton Region Public Health is also reminding residents that full protection from COVID-19 is not achieved until at least two weeks after an individual’s second dose. At this time, all Halton residents, regardless of vaccination status, should continue to stay home as much as possible, only go out for essential reasons and only gather indoors and outdoors with their households. When out in public for essential reasons or enjoying outdoor activity, please wear your mask and keep a two-metre distance from anyone outside your household.

Important information & instructions:

• Starting Wednesday, May 5, residents who are 40 years of age and older (born in or before 1981) who cannot work from home can book their vaccination appointments using Halton’s online booking system.
• Appointments will open to the outlined groups as closely to the posted dates as possible; appointments will be added to the online booking system as supplies are confirmed. The rollout plan for the month of May is contingent on vaccine supply available from the Federal Government and doses allocated from the Provincial Government.
• Halton Region Public Health will not be making exceptions. Please continue to be patient and book appointments when it is your turn. Please note that attending school in-person does not qualify under the ‘cannot work from home’ category.
• As appointments open to subsequent groups, Halton will be informing residents primarily through its website, social media channels including Twitter Regional of Halton account (external link), Facebook Regional of Halton account (external link), Instagram Regional of Halton account (external link) and LinkedIn Regional of Halton account (external link), and by emailing subscribers.
• Residents who are currently eligible are still able to book appointments through Halton’s online booking system.
• While booking online is the fastest way to schedule an appointment, residents can also call 311 if they require booking support. Residents who are not currently eligible to receive the vaccine are asked to avoid calling 311 or visiting the online booking system to ensure eligible residents have access.
• Vaccinations at Halton’s clinics are by appointment only (no walk-ins). Please do not contact clinics directly. Bookings for Halton residents are not available through the Provincial booking system; residents who access the Provincial booking system will be redirected back to Halton’s system.
• Residents who are 40 years of age or older can also choose to get vaccinated through one of multiple participating pharmacies. Please do not call 311 for pharmacy appointments. If you are 40 years of age or older, please visit ontario.ca/PharmacyCovidVaccine (external link) to find a location and information on how to book.
• Eligible residents can book appointments at any one of Halton’s six COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics located in Burlington (including Joseph Brant Hospital), Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville (including Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital). Residents are reminded that parking is free at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and Joseph Brant Hospital for those with scheduled appointments at these clinics.
• Residents who have already scheduled an appointment for vaccination through Halton Region can easily verify/check their appointment (external link) details or reschedule first dose appointments (external link) online.
  • Halton Region is reminding residents to cancel their appointments by calling 311 at least 24 hours in advance if they found earlier appointments (for example, through a pharmacy). By cancelling your appointment, this ensures there is no vaccine wastage and someone else who is eligible can get the vaccine.
  • Please note that changing second dose appointments cannot be easily accommodated. Residents are strongly encouraged to keep their second dose appointment as scheduled, unless for extraordinary circumstances.
• To maintain physical distancing and safety measures, please arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment (not earlier) and remember to wear a non-medical mask.

To learn more about Halton Region’s COVID-19 Vaccine Program, including who is currently eligible and how to book an appointment, please visit halton.ca/COVIDvaccines.

The Regional Municipality of Halton serves more than 595,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. Halton Region is committed to meeting the needs of its residents through the delivery of cost-effective, quality programs and services, including water and wastewater; Regional roads and planning; paramedic services; waste management; public health; social assistance; children’s and seniors’ services; housing services; heritage programs; emergency management and economic development. For more information, call 311 or visit Halton Region’s website at halton.ca.