Today, Mayor John Tory announced the City of Toronto and Toronto Public Health (TPH) have partnered with the TTC and Toronto Paramedic Services to further increase COVID-19 vaccination rates across the city with TTC bus vaccine clinics.
As part of the Team Toronto Mobile Strategy micro-targeted approach, TTC buses will be used as mobile vaccine clinics in high foot-traffic areas including TTC stations. These mobile vaccination clinics in TTC buses will be staffed by TPH and Toronto Paramedic Services.
Mayor Tory was joined by Board of Health Chair Joe Cressy at a TTC bus vaccine clinic outside apartment buildings at 20 Gamble Ave. in East York. Today’s clinic is run in partnership with TPH, Toronto Paramedic Services, the TTC, Michael Garron Hospital and The Neighbourhood Organization.
TPH and its Team Toronto partners will be holding over 100 clinics each week across the city, including a number of mobile vaccine clinics on TTC buses:
These locations were chosen based on high foot traffic by residents, and low vaccination uptakes within the neighbourhood. Dates and locations of future clinics will be promoted on the City’s social media channels.
Mobile clinics are one of many important ways to increase vaccination rates, in addition to community consortiums, vaccine engagement teams and the many community ambassadors who continue to address barriers to acceptance and increase uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in communities most negatively impacted by the virus. Each engagement team is made up of local community agencies that conduct outreach and support to residents, aligned with the unique demographic of each area and neighbourhood.
The City recently announced the data-driven expansion of the Team Toronto Mobile Strategy, targeting settings where residents work, study and play, places people commonly go, and neighbourhoods with low vaccine uptake with a focus on three specific age groups (ages 12 to 17, 25 to 49 and residents 65 and older).
As of August 30, 83 per cent of residents 12 and over have initiated their vaccination, with 76.6 per cent completed their vaccination series by receiving two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Given the recent increase in cases and ongoing spread of COVID-19 in the community, it is more important than ever that people get their vaccine, if they haven’t already. The vaccine is the best protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death. Getting vaccinated can help protect those who are vulnerable or not eligible for vaccinations including children under 11 years old and those who are immunocompromised. Residents are also encouraged to follow public health measures including staying home when sick, practising physical distancing and wearing a mask when physical distancing is not possible.
Quotes:
“This is another example of Team Toronto in action. All parts of the City government working with our community partners to help people get vaccinated. These TTC bus vaccine clinics will help more people get their first and second doses of vaccine and be better protected against COVID-19 and the Delta variant. I continue to urge people to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible – it’s the right thing to do and it will protect the progress we have made fighting the pandemic.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Our expanded Team Toronto Mobile Strategy represents the next phase in our efforts reach everyone, everywhere – and there’s no better way to do so than by TTC bus. By repurposing TTC vehicles and turning them into mobile vaccine clinics, we’re making it possible for vaccination sites to be micro-targeted and accessible to different communities and neighbourhoods all across our city. This is one more step forwards in our commitment to connecting directly with Torontonians and helping to get our city vaccinated.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of Toronto’s Board of Health
“The TTC is an integral part of our communities. In times of need, the TTC will always be there to help in any way possible. I want to thank TTC staff, Toronto Public Health and our Team Toronto partners for quickly implementing this important element of the City’s vaccination strategy and helping keep Torontonians safe.”
– Councillor Jaye Robinson (Don Valley West), Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission
“We continue to do everything we can, and use all available resources to make sure that every resident has an opportunity to get fully vaccinated as quickly and conveniently as possible. This micro targeted approach is another example of our efforts to bring vaccines to our community to protect everyone in every part of our city against COVID-19.”
– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health
“Toronto Paramedic Services is proud to continue working with its broad team of partners by providing improved access to COVID vaccinations to meet the needs of community members right where they live, work, and play. In the short time they have been operating, these truly mobile clinics have delivered over 300 vaccinations to those living in underserved areas. We encourage community members to get vaccinated at one of our mobile clinics as soon as they are able, to protect not only themselves but their family, friends, and neighbours.”
– Jennifer Shield, Deputy Chief, Program Development and Service Quality, Toronto Paramedic Services
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.
Please note, this news release was updated on September 3, 2021 to reflect that the mobile clinic at Westwood Middle School is taking place on Saturday, September 11, from noon to 4 p.m. A previous version erroneously stated the clinic is taking place on Friday, September 11.