Local pharmacies set to join the COVID-19 vaccination effort

By Casey Taylor

Posted Apr 1, 2021 06:45:00 PM.

Eighteen local pharmacies are getting the proverbial 'tap on the shoulder'.

Ontario is upping the number of pharmacies offering shots of the COVID-19 vaccine to nearly 700 with plans to more than double that number – to 1,500 – by the end of April.

“Thanks to the hard work of our dedicated frontline health care providers, Ontario's vaccine rollout in primary care settings and pharmacy settings has been a success,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health in a statement. “With more locations coming on board, these settings will make receiving the COVID-19 vaccine easier and more convenient for eligible populations across the province.”

Elliott, who herself received a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at a pharmacy in Toronto on Monday, says despite the expanded rollout, until there's enough supply for everyone to be vaccinated, it is critical Ontarians continue to follow all public health measures.

Locally, there are three pharmacies making the cut in Cambridge, 10 in Kitchener, and five in Waterloo. You can see a list below.

The province, meantime, is also dropping the age limit for those eligible to book a shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine through a pharmacy from 60 and older to 55+.

This change brings the province in line with most recent guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

Pharmacies in Waterloo Region soon to offer COVID-19 vaccinations (a full list and more details available here):

Cambridge