The region’s medical officer of health has a simple message about vaccines against COVID-19: get it as soon as you can, wherever you can.
If that means a trip to a Toronto pharmacy where you can get an Astra Zeneca shot, Simcoe-Muskoka Medical Officer of Health Dr. Charles Gardner said it would qualify as an essential reason to travel – provided you “get that job done and go home.”
“I’m actually in favour of people being able to get immunized anywhere,” Gardner said this afternoon (March 23). “It’s ultimately to our benefit, it’s in our interest.”
He admits the advice may not be the general sentiment coming from all health officials, many of whom have condemned what they call vaccine tourism.
But the situation is ever-evolving.
"As the volume accelerates, the main issue is to get everybody vaccinated and make it very easy for people," said the doctor.
Gardner said the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has seen a “tripling” of its vaccine supply, making this a “key week” for the health unit.
“We’re anticipating a stabilization for a while before it goes up further,” said Gardner.
He said the health unit will need another doubling of its supply before it can start vaccinating the 4,000 to 6,000 people it needs to innoculate per day for four to six months, to "get the job done."
He promised an announcement soon about the Astra Zeneca coming to three pharmacies in the region, and also further opening up of the age categories to allow people from age 70 and up to start booking appointments through the province’s system.
There have been a few glitches with the Ontario booking system, starting with the province leaving out several vaccine clinics in Simcoe Muskoka when it first launched on March 15. Last week, the provincial system overbooked appointments for the same time at some of the region’s clinics, resulting in long lineups.
There’s also further confusion resulting from the fact that the provincial system only allows direct booking based on age categories, leaving the other priority groups having to pre-register through the health unit.
“This, I will admit, comes across as confusing and it is fairly complicated,” said Gardner.
He offered his own clarification. Those aged 75 or older can use the provincial website or phone number to book an appointment anywhere in Ontario. You will get a list of options close to your location, but you can book further away.
For those in the other priority groups (essential caregivers, health care and frontline workers, Indigenous adults and their households), the province is asking for “curated lists” from regional health units, said Gardner. This means those groups have to pre-register with the health unit via the website or by phone and wait to be contacted by the province with an appointment code.
“It’s complicated, but that is the system we have,” said Gardner.
Adding one more layer is the Astra Zeneca roll-out via primary care providers. In Simcoe Muskoka, that’s being handled by Ontario Health Teams, and has its own booking system again.
The South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team is handling bookings for people aged 60 and older for specific Astra Zeneca clinics at the Collingwood and Wasaga Beach drive-thru locations.
The drive-thrus are being used for Pfizer clinics (booked through the provincial system) and for COVID-19 tests, which are booked through the Georgian Bay Family Health Team website or by phone.
Here’s a breakdown of all the ways you can book a COVID vaccine in Simcoe Muskoka:
- If you are 75 years old or older in 2021 book online at covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ or call 1-888-999-6488
- If you are an Indigenous adult or member of their household; an adult recipient of chronic home care; a health care worker; an essential caregiver for a resident of a long-term care or retirement home; or a faith leader who has close contact with people or families in end of life care, visits with unwell people, or pastoral care in hospitals, pre-register for a vaccine via the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website. Pre-registration is limited to Simcoe-Muskoka locations only.
- If you are an adult aged 60 or older in 2021, living in South Georgian Bay, register for an Astra Zeneca clinic via the South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team website.
