The province unveiled this afternoon (Friday) its strategy for Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. The focus is on vaccinating individuals base on age and risk. Phase 2 will begin in April and run through July and target adults between the ages of 60 and 79, and include up to nine million people.
During Phase 2, groups to receive the vaccine include:
- Older adults between 60-79 years of age;
- Individuals with specific health conditions and some primary caregivers;
- People who live and work in congregate settings and some primary caregivers;
- People who live in hot spots with high rates of death, hospitalizations and transmission; and,
- Certain workers who cannot work from home.
As supply increases, Ontarians will be able to get vaccinated with the three Health Canada approved vaccines in several new settings. In addition to hospitals, mobile clinics and mass vaccination clinics, the province is working with the pharmacy sector and with primary care professionals to offer vaccinations in primary care settings and community locations in collaboration with public health units. A pilot for pharmacy vaccine administration is planned for mid-March in select regions, including Toronto, Windsor and the Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington region, followed by specific primary care pilots in collaboration with public health units.
For the month of March, Ontario is expecting to receive 870,480 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 483,700 doses of the Moderna vaccine.
Ontario will enter Phase 3 when vaccines are available for every Ontarian who wishes to be immunized. While vaccines will not be mandated, during this phase, people will be strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.
