Hamilton Public Health Services scaling up operations to support next phase of COVID-19 vaccine campaign

HAMILTON, ON – To support the next phase of Hamilton’s COVID-19 vaccine campaign Hamilton Public Health Services (HPHS) will be opening two new fixed-site COVID-19 vaccine clinics in November, and launching a new local COVID-19 vaccine booking system.

Hamilton Public Health Services is working together with partners from local school boards and McMaster Children’s Hospital to scale up operations in preparation for the vaccination of children aged five to 11, including family friendly clinics and an age specific vaccine confidence campaign. In addition Public Health Services is working with local health system partners in preparation for the expansion of third doses.

A new Hamilton Mountain COVID-19 Vaccination clinic at CF Lime Ridge Mall will open November 3, in addition to a second location in the lower city opening before the end of November. At capacity these clinics can each administer 550 vaccines per day.

In addition, to support appointment booking and more local customization, Hamilton Public Health Services is launching a local COVID-19 vaccine booking system, using Verto Health, to replace the Province’s booking tool in Hamilton effective today. The new online vaccine booking system, accessed by visiting www.hamilton.ca/getyourvaccine, can accept bookings for eligible residents with an Ontario health card (green photo health card OR red and white) with email address or cell phone number. Individuals without an Ontario health card, or without an email address or cell phone number can call the Public Health Services COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline: 905-974-9848, option 7. Translation services are available by phone.

Hamilton Public Health Services’ top priority continues to be the Last Mile Strategy, administering both first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and ensuring neighbourhoods with lower coverage rates have access to information tailored to their needs and vaccine that is accessible at convenient locations and times.  To support this approach, Hamilton Public Health Services mobile vaccine clinics will offer two mobile clinics each day, seven days per week in more consistent and predictable locations to offer community members more steady and consistent service for the community. 

With the number of first and second doses of COVID-19 administered climbing higher by the day, the goal provincially and locally, continues to be reaching over 90 per cent vaccine coverage amongst those eligible in order to have strong community protection against the Delta variant. To date, Hamilton healthcare partners have administered 861,298 doses of COVD-19 vaccine – with 85.2 per cent of eligible Hamiltonians receiving a vaccine to date and 81.3 per cent fully vaccinated.

I want to emphasize the continued importance of getting vaccinated and encourage everyone to get their first and second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are eligible. The City of Hamilton is committed to expanding access to the COVID-19 vaccine. It is our individual and collective efforts to engage, share information and support family, friends and neighbours that has reinforced the resiliency and strength of the Hamilton community. We have made great strides in protecting the health and safety of our community, let’s continue to work together to keep everyone healthy and safe.

– Mayor Fred Eisenberger

Ways to access the COVID-19 vaccine

There are many locations in Hamilton for eligible community members to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Fixed-site COVID-19 vaccine clinic

Hamilton Public Health Services mountain COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
Beginning November 3, 2021, located at CF Lime Ridge Mall 999 Upper Wentworth St., L9A 4X5, on the upper level near entrance 5.  The clinic can currently be accessed on a walk-in or booked appointment basis for eligible populations. Hours of operation are as follows: November 3 to 14, 2021 - 9:30 am to 3:30 pm and November 15 to 21, 2021 - 1 to 7 pm.

Select primary care led vaccine clinics
Details regarding participating primary care led clinics can be found at www.hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine. 

Mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics

Mobile vaccine clinics continue to be added at various locations throughout the city on a regular basis, details can be found at www.hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine.

Select pharmacies

Locations for participating pharmacies administering the COVID-19 vaccine can be found by visiting covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations.

Hamilton Public Health Services continues to work closely with hospital, primary care, pharmacy, Hamilton Paramedic Service and other community organizations to offer vaccine to all eligible community members with health equity principles at the foundation of Hamilton’s vaccine program.

Quick Facts

• Since January 2021, the Hamilton Healthcare Partners have hosted 663 mobile pop-up clinics and 378 on-site mobile clinics (including shelters, workplaces, LTC homes and retirement homes, congregate care settings and apartment buildings and CityHousing Hamilton facilities).
• Since December 2020, Hamilton Health Partners have offered COVID-19 vaccine clinics in 230 unique locations, in addition to 100+ pharmacy locations across the City.
• On August 18, 2021, individuals born in 2009 and earlier became eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
• We are encouraged to see the reports from the middle of October (October 18, 2021) that Pfizer has formally requested approval from Health Canada for its COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11. We now eagerly await Health Canada approval and recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) and direction from the Ontario government, including vaccine supply and distribution.
• Following the October 29, 2021, statement from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) on its recommendations with regards to third dose eligibility for individuals 70 years of age and over, Indigenous individuals 18 years of age and over, high-risk healthcare workers, those who received two doses of the AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccine or one dose of the Janssen vaccine, Hamilton Public Health Services is anticipating an announcement from the Province this week on third dose eligibility in Hamilton and across Ontario.
• Vaccine administration rates may differ based on local context. All vaccination planning is based on and contingent on available COVID-19 vaccine supply.
• It is vital that members of the public, even those who have been vaccinated, ensure that public health measures still be practiced until it is safe and said to be safe by the health professionals in all levels of government.  

Additional resources

• www.hamilton.ca/COVIDvaccines
• www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus
• https://covid-19.ontario.ca
• https://kidshealthfirst.ca/
• Public Health Services’ COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline: 905-974-9848, option 7 or [email protected]
• Public Health Services’ COVID-19 Hotline: 905-974-9848 or [email protected]