Scarborough clinic celebrates daily dose count milestone as renewed push targets northwest corner
The Scarborough Vaccine Team staff at the Centennial College immunization clinic marked a milestone Saturday, celebrating the highest average of daily doses administered by a community vaccine clinic.
The Progress Ave. site has administered an average of 1,497 COVID-19 vaccine doses a day since March 17, contributing to significant levels of protection in a region that was hard-hit by the virus.
In April, 16 of 17 Scarborough postal codes were deemed COVID-19 hotspots; now, more than 70 per cent of adults in every Scarborough postal code have received at least their first dose of vaccine.
“COVID-19 had a great impact on our residents in Scarborough, so we made a commitment that once the vaccination came about, we knew we had to vaccinate our population,” Scarborough Health Network’s Chief Nursing Executive Glynn Boatswain told CTV Toronto Saturday.
But other parts of the city are lagging behind. The northwest corner of Toronto remains significantly less vaccinated than the rest of the city—leading officials to launch the Team Toronto Home Stretch Vaccine Push campaign.
The initiative, focused largely on the northwest area of the city, involves hyper-local immunization clinics in the priority neighbourhoods of Elms-Old Rexdale, Kingsview Village-The Westway, Mount Dennis, Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown, Weston, and Englemount-Lawrence.
Hundreds of Scarborough residents get vaccinated against COVID-19 Saturday, July 10, 2021 at the Centennial College immunization clinic. (CTV News/Natalie Johnson)
The clinics are designed to offer flexible hours to accommodate frontline workers to reduce any potential access barriers.
Michael Tam visited a clinic set up at a Stong Court school Saturday to get his first dose, saying previous locations had not been easily accessible for him.
“I think it’s speeding up now, definitely right, they’re opening up all these pop-up vaccine locations,” he said.
“I’m very relieved now,” echoed Layla Li after getting her dose there. “I feel the protection.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.