Ottawa opening five new COVID-19 vaccination clinics

OTTAWA -

The city of Ottawa is opening new vaccination clinics at Canadian Tire Centre, the University of Ottawa and Lansdowne Park, as thousands of new COVID-19 vaccines arrive in the capital.

The city says the influx of new vaccines and additional clinics will allow staff to administer 100,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines a week.

"There are currently appointments available in the provincial system. As always, demand in Ottawa is significant," warned Anthony Di Monte, Ottawa's general manager of emergency and protective services.

"If you encounter any issues I encourage you to check back in the system from time to time as newly available appointments are appearing due to cancellations and scheduling changes."

In a memo to council Friday morning, Di Monte outlined "two significant developments related to supply" as Ottawa's COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues.

"The first is the arrival of 27,000 Moderna vaccines today. A further 25,000 Moderna doses are being sent to local pharmacies," wrote Di Monte.

"Combined these 52,000 doses represent the first allocation to Ottawa of over nine million Moderna doses the federal government has announced it expects to receive through the end of June."

Di Monte says the second development is that, in addition to the 5,000 extra doses received last Friday, the province has confirmed Ottawa will receive another "strategic allocation of 33,500 additional doses." The 33,500 doses will be the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

"This allocation will help address existing demand for appointments in our city as the province prepares to further expand second dose eligibility."

Mayor Jim Watson sent a letter to Premier Doug Ford on June 7 requesting an additional 40,000 doses of vaccines to cover first doses and accelerated second doses.

The city says with more supply, it will open additional community clinics on June 21

• Canadian Tire Centre – 1000 Palladium Drive
• University of Ottawa – Minto Sports Complex
• Horticulture Building at Lansdowne Park
• Canterbury Recreation Complex – 2185 Arch Street
• Nepean Sportsplex – Curling Rink – 1701 Woodroffe Avenue

"In all, these five clinics will nearly double the total number of community clinics in Ottawa from six to eleven with a combined capacity to administer up to 100,000 doses per week," wrote Di Monte.

Ontario announced this week that as of Monday, June 21, all individuals 18 and above who received their first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine on or before May 9 will be eligible to book or rebook their second dose appointment at a shortened interval.  All adults will be eligible to book an accelerated second dose appointment starting June 28.

Di Monte admits the new shipments of Moderna vaccines arriving in Ottawa won't meet the demand for accelerated second doses.

"Clearly it's not enough," said Di Monte, noting 155,000 Ottawa residents received their COVID vaccine between April 16 and May 9.

"We're adding an additional 60,000, which is a very positive move forward.  When we get more vaccine and we're going to have more demand, we're ready to ramp up."

The head of Ottawa's COVID-19 vaccine rollout expects to see additional Moderna doses arriving in Ottawa in the next few weeks.

As of Friday, 75 per cent of Ottawa adults had received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. To date, nearly 820,000 total doses have been administered in Ottawa. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT FOR A COVID-19 VACCINE

The Ontario government says when booking an appointment through the provincial online system, you will be asked for the following information:

• Government of Ontario green photo health card
• Birth date
• Postal code
• Email address or phone number

At the time of booking, eligible individuals will schedule their first and second vaccination appointments.