Back to Search
Niagara’s mayors, in partnership with Regional Chair Jim Bradley, are announcing the planned locations of the community’s COVID-19 mass vaccination clinics.
Once vaccine supply is available, the following 11 locations have been identified as clinic sites:
- Fort Erie - Leisure Plex
- Grimsby - YMCA
- Lincoln - Community Centre
- Niagara-on-the-Lake - Community Centre
- Niagara Falls - MacBain Community Centre
- Pelham - Meridian Community Centre
- Port Colborne - Vale Health and Wellness Centre
- St. Catharines / Thorold - Brock University
- Wainfleet - Community Hall
- Welland - YMCA
- West Lincoln - Community Centre
These clinics have been strategically located to ensure that 90 per cent of the population will not have to travel longer than 15 minutes to receive a vaccine, and all sites are accessible by public transit.
The Region is also considering other sites in the larger centres, including the ongoing use of the Seymour-Hannah facility in consultation with Niagara Health once they have completed their provincial priority mandate.
The clinics listed here will be offered in addition to local pharmacies and family doctors who may also provide the vaccine once supply is made available.
While not yet available, the clinic schedules will be well publicized through all forms of media, including the newspaper, social media, local radio, municipal websites and through community groups.
As the demand for vaccines is exceptionally high, and the situation is constantly evolving, these locations and details are subject to change. Residents are reminded that Public Health is not currently booking vaccination appointments, and they should not call at this time.
Why is Niagara behind other communities?
While some other communities are already administering the vaccine to individuals who are 80 and older, it is important to remember that Niagara received fewer vaccines, and at a later date, than other places in Ontario. Also, when compared to other areas of the province, Niagara has more residents living in congregate settings.
These delays in delivery, and a larger number of residents in places like long-term care homes, resulted in the Region being about a month behind some other places in the province.
Since that time, the Regional Chair and 12 mayors have worked together to advocate for Niagara’s fair share of vaccine from the province. It is important to note that as many as 25,000 vaccines have been distributed in Niagara so far, including to all long-term care residents who wanted them.
Residents should also be encouraged to know that once Niagara received its vaccines in January, it was able to vaccinate more residents in a shorter period of time than neighbouring communities.
When will I know it is my turn?
Eligibility is based on Ontario’s three-phased vaccine distribution plan. Public Health will be notifying residents when it is their turn to book an appointment through all local and social media channels.
Once supply is made available, the first group to get vaccinated will be those who are 80 years of age and older, as well as Indigenous adults. Niagara Region Public Health will then follow the provincial prioritization criteria, moving through progressively younger age brackets until all persons 60 years of age or older have had the opportunity to get vaccinated.
At that point, essential workers throughout the region, as well as other high-risk residents (e.g. those with chronic medical conditions,) will be eligible for a vaccine. The Ontario government hopes to open vaccination up to all Ontario residents by early fall.
How do I book an appointment?
Residents are asked to continue being patient as they cannot currently book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine. As Niagara will be using the provincial booking system, residents can anticipate being able to book their appointments online or by phone starting in mid March.
Once the provincial booking system is open to the public, Niagara Region Public Health will notify eligible groups through broad communications (via community partners, media, advertising, social media, etc.) as well as its website.
Learn more about Niagara’s immunization plans.
Quotes
"On behalf of Niagara's mayors, I am pleased to share this list of immunization clinics with the public. As Niagara moves into another crucial phase of this pandemic, we want residents to know that we are ready to safely deliver as many vaccines as possible once supply is made available. The mayors and I wish to thank Niagara’s residents for their ongoing patience as they wait their turn to receive a vaccine." ~ Regional Chair Jim Bradley
Subscribe