Scotiabank Arena becoming COVID-19 vaccine pop-up next weekend; 10,000 doses available
Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena will become a COVID-19 vaccination clinic next Sunday for one day only in a bid by the city to get second doses to more people and break a Canadian record for daily doses administered in one place.
Toronto officials say the basketball and hockey arena will be a vaccination site on June 27, with hopes for 10,000 or more doses administered.
“Clinic partners, led by University Health Network and Michael Garron Hospital, are planning to vaccinate more than 10,000 people on Sunday, in order to break the Canadian single day clinic record,” officials said in a statement issued on Monday.
As of Monday morning, anyone in Ontario who received a COVID-19 vaccine first dose on May 9 or earlier is eligible for an accelerated second dose.
As of Wednesday morning, anyone in 10 public health regions of Ontario including Toronto that received a first COVID-19 vaccine dose on May 30 or earlier is eligible to receive a second dose.
Eligible people can book appointments at the Arena here.
"We’re really putting a big push on with the second doses, because that’s going to be the key to safely reopening the city, making sure that as many people as possible have their second dose," Mayor John Tory told CP24 on Monday.
Scotiabank Arena is largely idle at the moment, as the Toronto Raptors played games from Florida and did not make the postseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated in round one of the NHL playoffs and concerts of any size indoors are not yet permitted in Ontario.
Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign has required convention centres, parking lots, places of worship, arenas, community centres and even a strip club be used to administer vaccines.
Earlier in the pandemic, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment offered the venue’s sizeable catering capability to hospitals in order to feed healthcare workers.
Those attending will receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine if they are adults, with Pfizer reserved for youth ages 12-17.
“If you need a first dose or a second dose, please book your appointment for this record-breaking clinic,” Tory said Monday. “Taking part in Toronto Vaccine Day is a win-win. You'll be a part of history and you'll be protecting yourself, your family and our city's progress in fighting COVID-19."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.