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
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Boeing 737 catches fire and skids off the runway at a Senegal airport, injuring 10 people
A Boeing 737-300 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people, according to the transport minister, an airline safety group and footage from a passenger that showed the aircraft on fire.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.