Hamilton’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout expands to include 40-plus in ‘hot spots’

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Published April 27, 2021 at 12:48 pm

Hamilton’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout is expanding again to include people who are 40 years of age and older who live in the city’s ‘hot spot’ postal codes.

“Effective immediately, those individuals who are ages 40+ and live in “hot spot” communities in Hamilton as identified by the Provincial Government and Hamilton Public Health Services, are eligible to be vaccinated,” a City of Hamilton press release issued Tuesday afternoon (April 27) said.

Hamilton’s so-called hot spot neighbourhoods are L9C, L8W, L8L, L8N, and L9K.

Those who are eligible can receive their vaccine through one of the city’s large-scale clinics or a mobile pop-up, of which two are planned for later this week. In either case, appointments are required as there are no walk-ins permitted.

“Members of the public, who are ages 18-39 and live in a hot spot postal code in Hamilton are not yet eligible for a vaccination,” the release said.

The two pop-up clinics, to be held at Bernie Morelli rec centre and Salvation Army Meadowlands, will run from Friday to Sunday this week and appointments for those can be booked by calling the Public Health Services COVID-19 Hotline at 905-974-9848, option 7 for an appointment at a mobile pop-up clinic.

Appointments at large-scale clinics can be made online or by calling the hotline if internet access is limited.

Proof of address will be required when booking and attending the appointment.

To date, approximately 174,638 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Hamilton – with 29.8 per cent of eligible residents having received their shot.

Last week, residents who fell into the 40-plus age group became eligible to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine through participating pharmacies and at a clinic held at FirstOntario Centre last weekend.

Demand, however, far outstripped the number of appointments available. In response, the City launched a pop-up clinic this week dedicated to Black and racialized individuals in the community.

Tuesday’s announcement will undoubtedly fill some gaps, but still, the City is warning eligible residents to remain patient as vaccine supplies remain somewhat unstable and demand for appointments continues to soar.

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and the City’s efforts to roll them out, check out their website.

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