Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/March 22, 2021
Beginning today, Monday March 22, individuals aged 75 and older can book an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccination at ontario.ca/bookvaccine. Online booking is encouraged. If you are unable to book online for yourself, please ask a friend or family member to book on your behalf. You will require your photo ID health card number.
As booking is being managed directly by the province, those who are unable to book online are advised to contact the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-888-999-6488. The Booking Line is available 8 a.m.- 8 p.m., Monday-Sunday. Individuals who do not have a photo ID health card will be required to book by phone. High volumes are expected and your patience and understanding are appreciated. If you are unable to get through by phone or online, please try again at a later time. You can be reassured that you will not miss your chance for an appointment.
If You Have Already Received Your First Dose
If you have already received your first dose through your health care provider or by a direct invitation from HPEPH, DO NOT book your second dose through the link listed above. In response to national and provincial recommendations, HPEPH will be providing the second dose approximately 16 weeks after the first dose. Please note this may mean that your second dose appointment will take place later than originally indicated. Please DO NOT call HPEPH or your health care provider to book your second dose appointment. You will be contacted to book your second dose at the appropriate time.
High Priority Health Care Workers Encouraged to Book at QHC Before March 26
Vaccination clinics for high, very high, and highest priority health care workers will continue at Quinte Health Care (QHC) until March 26. Eligible health care workers are encouraged to book an appointment prior to this date on the QHC vaccination booking page. High priority health care workers include:
- Community care with lower risk of exposure and serving special populations
- Community care with lower risk of exposure and serving general population
- Non-acute rehabilitation and therapy
- Public health
A complete list of eligible Highest, Very High, and High Priority health care workers is available at Ontario.ca. As the provincial booking site is not accepting appointments for these groups at the current time, all eligible individuals are encouraged to book at QHC. HPEPH continues to be grateful for the partnership and support of QHC and other community partners throughout the region who are contributing to this once in a lifetime vaccination effort. It is important to note vaccination clinics will be held at QHC for health care workers who meet the definitions above until March 26. While QHC will continue to offer vaccinations for eligible internal staff after this date, as well as second doses for those who have already received the shot at QHC, vaccinations for health care workers and other eligible groups will be offered through community public health clinics and booked through the provincial system.
Steps to Take if You are Not Yet Eligible
Thank you for your patience as efforts continue to vaccinate those at highest risk. If you are not yet eligible and belong to a Phase 1 or 2 priority group, please pre-register for notification when your group becomes eligible. HPEPH is currently collecting contact information for:
- Individuals who are 60 years of age and older
- Indigenous people
- high-risk chronic conditions as outlined by the Province
- Essential Caregivers (long term care, retirement home, or a private retirement residence)
- Health Care Workers
Please note that information collected in the forms listed above will be used to identify you to the Ministry of Health as an eligible member of a priority group to the Ministry of Health and/or to advise you when your age group becomes eligible. It is important to note that pre-registering on this list does not provide advance booking for an appointment. You will still have to make an appointment for a vaccine once your group becomes eligible. When you become eligible, you will be provided booking instructions from either HPEPH or the Ministry of Health.
Information for other Phase 2 priority groups may be collected through workplaces/employers or collected by HPEPH at a later date. Please continue to check hpePublicHealth.ca/covid-19-vaccines/ and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for up to date vaccine information and eligibility.
Please do not call HPEPH if you are not in one of the groups eligible for vaccination at this time. Inquiries from individuals who are not yet eligible are limiting public health efforts to deliver vaccine to those at highest risk.
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Media contacts
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
mhyland@hpeph.ca
Emily Tubbs, Communications Specialist
etubbs@hpeph.ca
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
