East Toronto Health Partners opens third COVID-19 Immunization Clinic site in East Toronto to increase capacity to administer vaccines to eligible priority populations

Local clinics are a key pillar in the COVID-19 Immunization Plan for East Toronto, which helps ensure low-barrier access to the COVID-19 vaccine for residents as soon as vaccine supply and eligibility allow

(March 16, 2021) Toronto, ON – East Toronto Health Partners (ETHP), the Ontario Health Team (OHT) serving East Toronto, is now operating a third COVID-19 Immunization Clinic in East Toronto.

The clinic is located at Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre (870 Queen Street East). To start, the site will administer COVID-19 vaccines to health care workers and first responders in East Toronto who have pre-registered for the vaccine using ETHP’s interim online pre-registration form.

These individuals who have pre-registered are contacted for an appointment when they are considered eligible for vaccination in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s Guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization and when vaccine supply is available. Eligible health care workers and first responders in East Toronto may also arrange to be vaccinated at this site through their employer.

To start, ETHP’s COVID-19 Immunization Clinic at Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre will operate on Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To complement this, ETHP’s COVID-19 Immunization Clinic at Warden Hilltop Community Centre has adjusted its hours and will operate on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours may change depending on vaccine availability.

These initial operating hours allow ETHP to best administer the provincial government supply of vaccines allocated to Michael Garron Hospital (MGH). The hours also allow time for ETHP to streamline the logistics at the Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre site to improve capacity.

In addition to its clinics at Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre and Warden Hilltop Community Centre, ETHP continues to operate a dedicated seniors’ clinic at MGH for adults who are 80 years of age and older in East Toronto. These clinics will begin vaccinating additional populations in alignment with the Ontario government and Toronto Public Health (TPH) and when vaccine supply is available.

The clinics are a key pillar in ETHP’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan for East Toronto. They complement the City of Toronto’s immunization efforts by offering vaccines in areas in East Toronto where the City is not operating its nine planned immunization clinics.   

Quotes from ETHP leaders

“The opening of a third COVID-19 Immunization Clinic in East Toronto will allow us to better reach our goal of vaccinating as many eligible community members as safely and quickly as possible,” said Sarah Downey, president and CEO of MGH and a member of ETHP. “We’re pleased to continue this important work with our partners to help ensure the COVID-19 vaccine may be easily and conveniently accessed by priority populations in East Toronto.”

“We’re thrilled to play a role in the operation of ETHP’s third COVID-19 Immunization Clinic, which is located within the heart of the community we serve,” said Jason Altenberg, CEO of South Riverdale Community Health Centre (SRCHC) and a member of ETHP. “Making vaccines available to eligible health care workers at this site is a hopeful sign for our clients and community members of things to come. We look forward to continuing our work with ETHP so we can begin offering vaccines to everyone who wants and needs one as soon as vaccine supply and eligibility allow.”

About East Toronto Health Partners (ETHP)
East Toronto Health Partners (ETHP), the Ontario Health Team (OHT) serving East Toronto, is a group of more than 50 community, primary care, home care, hospital and social services organizations in East Toronto working together to create an integrated system of care across our communities. Collectively, ETHP is responsible for providing care and support to the 300,000 individuals who live in East Toronto communities, as well as an additional 75,000 clients who choose to receive health care in the local area. Clients, family members and caregivers are partners in every aspect of the development of ETHP, working together to improve the way East Toronto residents access and receive care. Visit ethp.ca to learn more.