With a plea to the Ontario government for additional COVID-19 vaccine supplies made in vain, York Region is confirming tonight that clinics at Canada's Wonderland and at the Georgina Ice Palace will close as of Tuesday, April 13 until further notice.
"Unfortunately, the Ontario government was not able to provide York Region with any additional Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to support our public health-led clinics," said York Region spokesperson Patrick Casey.
"A shipment of Moderna vaccine, already delayed, could come as of Thursday, April 15, although there is no confirmation at this time," he added.
The hospital-operated clinics that primarily administer the Pfizer vaccine, including the Ray Twinney centre in Newmarket, are not impacted.
The hours of operations at the remaining three public-health clinics (Aaniin, Richmond Green and Maple Community Centre) have also been adjusted to due to supply shortages, Casey said.
The reduction in supply has also delayed the rollout of the vaccine to ages 60 to 64 in York Region.
Meanwhile, the Ontario government announced today an additional 700 pharmacies across the province will start offering the AstraZeneca vaccine to individuals aged 55 and older throughout this week.
This expansion will bring the total number of pharmacies offering the vaccine to more than 1,400 locations and this number is expected to reach approximately 1,500 by the end of April. The additional pharmacies will be added to the website as the vaccine becomes available: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/
Appointments are required. Currently, Newmarket pharmacy locations include:
- Shoppers Drug Mart at 20 Davis Dr.
- Robins Pharmacy, 191 Main St.
- Real Canadian Superstore (Loblaw) Pharmacy, 18120 Yonge St.
- Rexall, 16900 Yonge St.
