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Halton Region has updated its COVID-19 vaccination plan to align with the Province’s direction to expand eligibility and vaccinate youth 12 to 17 years of age (external link) by the end of August 2021.

“We are following Provincial direction and putting plans in place to vaccinate our youth populations in addition to our adult vaccination program,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “We continue to make great progress and have already vaccinated over 50 per cent of our community with the first dose. While we look forward to expanding our vaccination program to more age groups, our ability to open up more appointments remains dependent on supply from the Provincial and Federal governments. We have the capacity to significantly increase what we are doing now – we are ready to get more people vaccinated as we receive more vaccines.”

Halton Region Public Health is working with local school boards on a youth vaccination program. Information on clinic locations and when the booking system will be updated to offer appointments for all 12 to 17 year olds will be shared as the details of the program are confirmed. The program will be dependent on vaccine supply.

To ensure alignment with the Province’s updated plan to vaccinate youth, Halton Region will be changing eligibility in the vaccination schedule to open appointments to all residents 18+ (instead of 16+ as originally planned) on Wednesday, May 19. Residents aged 12 to 17 will book their vaccine appointments through the youth vaccination program (those aged 16 and 17 who have already booked their first dose appointments as part of existing eligible groups may need to have their second dose appointment rescheduled and will be contacted). Residents who are 18 years old and returning to high school in September 2021 are encouraged to get vaccinated through the youth vaccination program in order to receive their second dose by the end of August.

Halton’s revised schedule is as follows:

“Halton Region Public Health is working with our school boards to implement the best possible plan to vaccinate youth 12 to 17,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health. “I encourage everyone to get vaccinated when it is their turn. The more people we get vaccinated each and every day brings us closer to returning to normal.”

The Region has updated its Vaccination Dashboard to reflect the change in denominator from 16 to 18 year olds.

Important information & instructions:

• Halton Region continues to open appointments in alignment with Provincial direction to expand eligibility to all residents 18 years of age and older by the end of May:
  • Starting today, all residents who are 30 years of age and older can book appointments using Halton’s online booking system.
  • Starting Wednesday, May 19, all residents who are 18 years of age and older (born in or before 2003) can book their vaccination appointments using Halton’s online booking system.
  • With the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine authorized for use for 16+, Halton Region has had a minimum age requirement of 16 for most eligibility groups. Following Provincial direction for youth vaccination, residents 16 and 17 years old who have already booked their first dose appointment as part of some existing eligible groups may need to have their second dose appointment rescheduled by the end of August. Where necessary, Halton Region will communicate new appointments to these individuals directly.
• Appointments will open to outlined groups as closely as possible to posted dates; appointments will be added to the online booking system as supplies are confirmed. Halton’s vaccination schedule is contingent on vaccine supply available from the Federal Government and doses allocated from the Provincial Government.
• As appointments open to subsequent groups, Halton will be informing residents primarily through its website, social media channels including Twitter (external link), Facebook (external link), Instagram (external link) and LinkedIn (external link), and by emailing subscribers.
• Halton Region Public Health will not be making exceptions. Residents who are currently eligible can continue 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.
• Eligible residents can book appointments at any one of Halton’s seven COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics located in Burlington (including Joseph Brant Hospital), Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville (including Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital). 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 verify/check their appointment details or reschedule first dose appointments.
  • Halton Region is reminding residents to cancel their appointments by calling 311 as soon as possible if they found earlier appointments (for example, through a pharmacy). By cancelling your appointment, this ensures that someone else who is eligible can get the vaccine.
  • Residents are strongly encouraged to keep their second dose appointment as scheduled, unless for extraordinary circumstances. If you have already received your first dose at a Halton Region Vaccination Clinic, please note that changing second dose appointments cannot be accommodated.
• Residents who are currently eligible to book their COVID-19 vaccine appointment at a Halton Region Vaccination Clinic have the option to book same-day (“last minute”) vaccine appointments through our online booking system. These appointments will become available when there are last minute cancellations at a vaccination clinic, and can only be used for first dose appointments. This option is only available to those who are currently eligible and residents must arrive at the selected clinic within 30 minutes of booking.
• Residents are asked to attend their appointments alone if possible in order to limit the amount of individuals in our clinics and maintain adequate physical distancing. You may bring one support person, if required (for example, a caregiver or interpreter).
• 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. Please note: you will be required to bring proof of age and residency in Halton to your appointment.

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.