The province's COVID-19 vaccine booking system is now offering appointments for Simcoe-Muskoka residents who are 60 years old or older as of 2021.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit confirmed the change this morning, promising more details later today when Dr. Charles Gardner hosts his weekly media briefing.
To book an appointment, visit the province's booking site, select the eligibility criteria that applies to you and follow the prompts.
If you qualify because of your age (60 or older) you should be able to book an appointment at a vaccination clinic nearby your residence.
If there are no vaccine appointments available close by, check back again later as more can be added.
The province does allow you to book outside of your own region, but some vaccination clinics are not offering vaccines to people outside of their region, so it's best to check.
If you are between 55 and 59 years old in 2021, you can qualify for the Astra Zeneca vaccine administered through pharmacies. You can still use the province's booking system to find a pharmacy near you that is offering the vaccine. The list will give instructions on how to book an appointment at the pharmacy.
For example, Alcona Pharmacy on Innisfil Beach Road and Pharma Plus on Yonge Street in Innisfil have been offering Astra Zeneca vaccines.
If you are eligible for a vaccine because you fit in another group not decided by age you will have to join a waiting list via the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
The Ontario vaccine booking website will give you this information as well as the health unit phone number 1-877-721-7520. You can also pre-register online with the health unit here.
Currently, the health unit is accepting pre-registration from the following groups:
- Transplant Recipients & Some Cancer Patients who have received Dose 1 can now book Dose 2
- Indigenous adults and their household members
- Adults recipients of chronic home care
- Health Care Workers
- Essential caregivers for residents of long-term care or rest and retirement homes
- Faith leaders
This can change quickly. Check the health unit website for updates.