Still not vaccinated? Toronto launches VaxGiving to promote long weekend COVID-19 vaccine clinics

TORONTO, ON, Oct. 7, 2021 – For the 236,000 Toronto residents who are not yet vaccinated and freaking out about the prospect of missing out on travelling just about anywhere, or attending just about anything in the coming months, the City of Toronto is going to make getting vaccinated even more accessible this Thanksgiving weekend through to October 15. This morning, Toronto Mayor John Tory announced VaxGiving, the City of Toronto’s latest campaign to encourage residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible against COVID-19. VaxGiving starts today and continues through the Thanksgiving long weekend to October 15, promoting varied vaccination options across the city for anyone needing a first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

VaxGiving vaccination clinics are being held at TTC stations, malls, schools, community centres and libraries – places Torontonians live, work and play. The campaign also includes a late night pop-up vaccination clinic in St. Jamestown that will run from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. this Friday.

“In churches and libraries, in malls and community centres: this holiday weekend, there are pop-up vaccine clinics open across our city for Torontonians to get their shots,” said Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Toronto Board of Health.

“There’s no better way to give thanks – including to our frontline and health care heroes that have sacrificed so much to keep us safe – than by rolling up your sleeves and getting your first or second dose. Come down to one of Team Toronto’s VaxGiving clinics this weekend and get into the spirt of the season,” said Cressy.

There are at least 18 VaxGiving clinics across the city for anyone needing a first or second dose. The full list of locations with clinic dates and times is available on the City’s COVID-19: How to Get Vaccinated webpage.

“Thank you to every member of Team Toronto who are all working to get people vaccinated this Thanksgiving. We are all so thankful for the work of everyone involved in this vaccination effort, it will ensure this holiday can be a bit more normal than last year and that next Thanksgiving, this pandemic will be behind us. This weekend, if you’re not vaccinated yet, please don’t put it off any longer. Come out to one of our VaxGiving clinics and get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated now will give you freedom. This is all part of our steady progress to get people vaccinated – as I’ve said before, we’ve vaccinated millions so we just have thousands left to go.”– Mayor John Tory

The City’s VaxGiving push includes the start of several weekly recurring mobile clinics starting next Tuesday and running through next week at the following locations:

• Main Square Community Centre, 245 Main St., October 12 from noon to 4 p.m.
• Amesbury Park Library, 1565 Lawrence Ave., October 12 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Black Creek Library, 1700 Wilson Ave., October 13 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• O’Connor Community Centre, 1386 Victoria Park Ave., October 14 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Pelmo Park Community Centre, 171 Pellatt Ave., October 15 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Dawes Road Library, 416 Dawes Rd., October 15 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

These six weekly recurring clinics will return at the same time and day of the week every week for the foreseeable future.

The City and Team Toronto partners are making it as easy as possible to get vaccinated as Toronto aims for 90 per cent vaccination coverage. As of October 4, 236,000 eligible residents still needed a first or second dose to join the 81.3 per cent Torontonians who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Anyone needing a first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine is urged to make VaxGiving part of their Thanksgiving plans. Last year, COVID-19 case counts increased following Thanksgiving weekend and once the cold weather set in and people moved indoors. COVID-19 vaccines are an important public health measure to reduce virus transmission, to protect against severe consequences of COVID-19 and save lives.

Residents planning to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family are also reminded that COVID-19 continues to circulate in our community, including the highly-transmissible Delta variant. Speaking recently, Toronto Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa counselled all Torontonians to choose wisely, carefully and selectively when it comes to getting together and celebrating this Thanksgiving weekend. Tips on how to stay safe are available on the City’s COVID-19: Reduce Virus Spread Guide.

SOURCE City of Toronto

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