Ontarians say initial vax appointments tough to cancel once earlier dose booked
Some Ontario residents say they're finding it difficult to cancel their original COVID-19 vaccine appointments after securing earlier second shots.
The province has been accelerating second doses for a growing number of residents but has left it up to individuals to move up their appointments.
Neli Trevisan said she was unable to cancel her original second-dose appointment on Ontario's vaccine booking portal this week.
The resident of Barrie, Ont., said she initially had an appointment booked through the provincial system for Friday but was able to find a pharmacy that offered her a second dose on Tuesday.
She said she was able to eventually get through to someone on the provincial phone line but expressed frustration at the process.
"I wanted to cancel so (the slot) will go to someone else," she said, adding that the person she spoke with was thankful she canceled her appointment. "He said that not many people cancel and there are no-shows."
Chris Johnston-Ardern from Toronto had a similar experience trying to cancel her original second-dose appointment, which was automatically scheduled for the end of July after she received her first shot.
While she was able to receive her second dose at a pharmacy last week, Johnston-Ardern said the system did not cancel the original appointment and she had to call to scrap it.
"How this could have been easier, I could tell you multiple ways," she said, adding that it would have been simplest if her original appointment was automatically cancelled once her second dose was registered by the province.
The Ministry of Health said original appointments are automatically cancelled for people who make earlier ones through the provincial booking system -- but that doesn't apply to new bookings made through alternate systems, such as at pharmacies or individual public health units' sites.
The government said individuals can call the provincial phone line to cancel or reschedule their appointment. Individuals can also manage their appointments on the provincial system at https://vaccine.covaxonbooking.ca/manage
"The province is aware that people are signing up for multiple appointments and ask that people only sign up for one appointment at a time. If people do book multiple appointments, it is their responsibility to cancel their appointments," said spokesman Bill Campbell.
In at least one region, no-shows at vaccine clinics have been noted as an issue.
Dr. Miriam Klassen, Huron Perth Public Health's top doctor, said earlier this month that individuals have been making several appointments and showing up to the one that suits them best, without cancelling the rest.
"When someone does not cancel an unneeded appointment, that means someone else in the community has missed out on an appointment they could have taken," the health unit said.
In Toronto, the Humber River Hospital said it offers both appointments and walk-ins at its mass vaccination site to avoid wasting doses when people don't show up for appointments.
"We never have wastage," said Lisa Bitonti-Bengert, its senior director for clinical innovation.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.