Toronto Public Health (TPH) data shows that vaccination has been effective in Toronto’s COVID-19 response, with breakthrough infections happening in only 0.17 per cent of fully vaccinated individuals in the city. This represents 3,936 cases among almost 2.3 million Toronto residents 12 and older who were fully vaccinated at the time this data analysis was completed.
As of December 3 at 8:30 a.m., there have been a total of 178,628 COVID-19 cases and 3,716 deaths in Toronto since the start of the pandemic. A person is considered fully vaccinated when they receive two doses of the vaccine and 14 days have passed since the second dose. Recent Public Health Ontario data on Toronto’s neighbourhoods during the fourth wave (August 1 to November 6) show that for every 10 per cent increase in vaccination coverage, there was a seven per cent decrease in the neighbourhood risk of COVID-19. Neighbourhoods with the highest vaccination coverage had the lowest COVID-19 incidence while the ones with the lowest vaccination coverage had the highest COVID-19 incidence.
In addition, when compared to those who are fully vaccinated, data shows that individuals who are unvaccinated, are two times more likely to contract COVID-19, five times more likely to become hospitalized, and 20 times more likely to be admitted to ICU. Unvaccinated individuals are also four times more likely to die from COVID-19 compared to their fully vaccinated counterparts.
Approximately 89.7 per cent have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 while 85.8 per cent have received two doses of the vaccine. As of December 2, approximately 118,000 people would need to be vaccinated to reach 90% of the 12 and older population fully vaccinated. Of these, 77,000 have already had one dose. Team Toronto and TPH is also preparing to vaccinate approximately 515,000 Toronto residents who are eligible for their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine starting December 12. As of December 2, approximately 145,000 eligible Toronto residents have already received their third dose.
It remains important for all eligible household members to get vaccinated, including some of our youngest residents. Data from Toronto and around the world has shown that the vaccine is safe and remains the best defense against contracting COVID-19, and significantly lowers the risk of hospitalization, ICU admission and death. Getting vaccinated will help protect yourself, your household members and your community from getting sick, especially as residents seek to connect with friends and loved ones over the holiday season. TPH is also encouraging residents to book their third dose appointment as soon as possible to ensure they have the extra layer of protection.
While the vaccination campaign is ongoing, TPH urges residents to continue practicing public health measures as the holiday season approaches. These important measures include masking while indoors, keeping your in-person social circle small and limiting it to vaccinated individuals as much as possible, practicing physical distancing, good hand hygiene and staying home if you are sick.
Pandemic data, including an epidemiological summary of cases can be found online .
“The data from our public health officials is very clear that getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your city against COVID-19. I want to thank Toronto Public Health for sharing this data so that people can see the protection that the COVID-19 vaccines are providing to almost 2.3 million people in our city. I continue to encourage everyone who is eligible to get fully vaccinated to help bring this pandemic to an end.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Vaccination – coupled with public health measures that we know reduce transmission regardless of what variant we face – remain the best tools at our disposal. Get vaccinated if you haven’t yet done so and book your third dose appointment if you are eligible. While vaccination remains one of the most important actions we can take and that we can encourage others to take as well, we also need to continue to practice all the public health measures that have protected us to date – wear your mask, watch your distance, wash your hands and stay at home if you are sick.”
– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health
“As the data shows, breakthrough infections are rare and vaccination remains one of the most important steps we can take to protect ourselves and our community. This is why it is essential for all family members to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. At the City of Toronto, we are continuing to do our part to make getting vaccinated as accessible as possible for every Torontonian. Help protect our city, and book your vaccination appointment today for yourself or your loved one.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Toronto Board of Health
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.