News Release: COVID-19 Vaccine Bookings for Individuals Born in 1941 or Before Launches Monday, March 15, 2021

NIPISSING & PARRY SOUND, ON - Individuals in the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit) region born in 1941 or before will be able to book an appointment for their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine starting on March 15 at 9 a.m. The ability to book appointments comes at the same time as the launch of the Ministry of Health’s online booking system. Individuals aged 80 and above can book online using the provincial booking system, or call the Health Unit, who can facilitate the booking process. As a surge in phone calls is expected, the Health Unit is encouraging families to support their parents or grandparents who are aged 80 and above with booking their vaccine appointment online.

“Being able to vaccinate our highest risk citizens is an exciting step in protecting our communities and working towards getting back to normal,” says Andrea McLellan, Director, COVID-19 Immunization Strategy. “We are hopeful that the rollout of vaccinations will speed up with new vaccine approvals and as higher volumes of shipments become available in our region.”

How to book an appointment online:

1. Have your green Ontario health card ready. Unfortunately, Ontario health cards with the red stripe will not be accepted in the online booking system.
2. Visit www.myhealthunit.ca/COVID-19Vaccine and click “Book an Appointment” to open the provincial Online Booking System.
3. Follow the online instructions.

How to book an appointment by phone:

1. Have your green Ontario health card ready.
2. Dial 1-800-563-2808 and choose option 5, then follow the prompts. The call centre will be open to book appointments from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
3. Please be patient. The Health Unit has all available staff working the phone lines in anticipation of your call. If you do not get through, please be patient and call back later.

Individuals who are from outside Ontario or Canada, or do not have an Ontario health card should contact the Ministry of Health Help Desk.

Vaccination clinics are currently scheduled to take place in North Bay, Mattawa and Sundridge. More clinic locations, dates and times will be added to the clinic schedule at www.myhealthunit.ca.

Individuals born after 1941 will not be able to book an appointment at this time. Although the province has announced expanded vaccination eligibility with the move into the second phase of the Provincial Vaccination Plan, the Health Unit continues to work on vaccinating priority groups in Phase 1.

Appointments for second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be able to be booked once the Health Unit receives more shipments of the vaccine and future clinic dates and locations are confirmed.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccinations, visit https://www.myhealthunit.ca/en/health-topics/covid-19-vaccine.asp.

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Media Inquiries:

Alex McDermid, Public Relations Specialist
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca