Today, as of 11 a.m., 25,000 people have now booked Toronto Vaccine Day COVID-19 vaccination appointments at the “Our Winning Shot” clinic taking place this Sunday, June 27 at Scotiabank Arena. Fully booked with 25,000 appointments, Toronto Vaccine Day has more than doubled the current Canadian record for most people vaccinated at a one-day clinic and is on track to potentially set a new North America-wide single-day clinic record.
As Mayor John Tory announced this morning, in support of Toronto Vaccine Day on Sunday the TTC will be offering free rides to and from booked appointments at any vaccination clinic in Toronto. Metrolinx is also offering to Union Station and the Scotiabank Arena vaccine clinic and back home again. Riders taking transit will be asked to show proof of booking on the trip to their appointment and the confirmation of their shot will be their return ticket. Employees and volunteers are also eligible for free trips when they show employee or volunteer identification.
More than 30 per cent of Torontonians now have their second dose of vaccine. Getting a second dose is vital in Toronto’s fight against COVID-19 and the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) that is more infectious than other strains of the virus. Recent studies have shown that two weeks after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine, a person’s protection against the Delta variant is 50 per cent higher than one dose alone.
While Toronto Vaccine Day appointments are full, COVID-19 vaccination appointments at City-operated clinics remain available to all people age 12 and older to book first dose appointments. Second dose appointments can be booked by anyone who received a first Pfizer or Moderna vaccine dose prior to May 30 or AstraZeneca on or before May 1. Appointments can be booked by residents through the dark blue “Book a Vaccine” button on toronto.ca/covid-19 or by calling the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833-943-3900.
The “Our Winning Shot” clinic is made possible through a partnership between the City, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), Scotiabank, University Health Network and Michael Garron Hospital.
To easily connect to resources including vaccine appointment bookings, information on vaccines and upcoming telephone town halls, Toronto residents can text “VACCINE” to 1-833-750-0888 or 833-750-0888 for more information. Torontonians can now also get information about the Toronto Vaccine Day clinic from the vaccine text line by texting SHOT to 1-833-750-0888.
Quotes:
“I want to thank the 25,000 people who have signed up to get vaccinated on Toronto Vaccine Day at Scotiabank Arena. Team Toronto has come together to get thousands of people vaccinated at this one-day, record-breaking clinic And I want to thank the TTC for offering free rides to and from any vaccine appointment on Sunday to help further encourage people to get their shot. I know people are eager to get vaccinated so that we can bring this pandemic to an end. The success of Toronto Vaccine Day will help continue our progress making sure everyone gets their first and second shots.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Make no mistake, Torontonians have stepped up. 25,000 registered appointments for a single-day clinic is unheard of in this country, perhaps even in the world. Toronto Vaccine Day at Scotiabank Arena is certainly our winning shot. It will be a record-breaking day to remember. Now, alongside our Team Toronto partners, MLSE, and Scotiabank, let’s go get Toronto vaccinated.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Toronto Board of Health
“Another huge accomplishment for our city that we can all be proud of. Thank you everyone for all that you’ve done to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our city and taking the important step to get vaccinated. Let’s keep this momentum going! Your actions are helping provide protection to our entire community and helping us get back to many of the things we have missed for so long.”
– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health
“In May, health partners in East Toronto came together to vaccinate over 10,000 people in a one-day clinic at the Thorncliffe Park Community Hub and set a one-day Canadian record. We’re thrilled to share what we learned at that clinic, add the strengths of MLSE, Scotiabank, the City of Toronto, UHN and countless other Toronto hospitals and community agencies, to set another one-day record at such a notable venue. This is our shot, Toronto.”
– Sarah Downey, President and CEO, Michael Garron Hospital
“While we had hoped to have a record number of people sign up for vaccination this response has exceeded our dreams. But as exciting as a record is, what is more exciting is the fact that Torontonian’s recognize the importance of vaccination for their health and in protecting each other. My thanks to everyone who is part of this achievement.”
– Kevin Smith, President and CEO, University Health Network (UHN)
“This outstanding response is a testament to the commitment shown by our community to protect each other and do their part to put the pandemic behind us, but it is also an example of the difference we can make when we work together as a team. Sunday’s vaccination clinic at Scotiabank Arena is a record-breaking effort for Team Toronto and an important step towards fans being back in our venues and a return to our normal lives in the weeks and months ahead. We are grateful to everyone involved for making it possible.”
– Michael Friisdahl, President and CEO, MLSE
“History will be made this Sunday as the doors at Scotiabank Arena swing open to a record number of people who will be getting their shots. The response from people who want to protect themselves, their families, and their communities has been nothing short of amazing. Vaccines are an essential step on our road to recovery, and Sunday’s Vaccination Clinic at Scotiabank Arena is a monumental step forward in our journey to beat the virus.”
– Brian Porter, President and CEO, Scotiabank
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