COVID-19 vaccine open to 60 and up; some hot spots neighbourhoods to open to 50+

Ontario residents aged 60 and older will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine starting Wednesday, while residents 50 and older in “hot spot” neighbourhoods will also be eligible for a shot.

The province provided an update on its vaccination plan Tuesday morning.

Phase 2 of the plan is marked for April to the end of June. It includes vaccinations for adults aged 60 to 79, those in high-risk congregate settings and those with high-risk chronic conditions and their caregivers.

Also included are people who cannot work from home and at-risk population.

Distribution of the vaccine will be done through mass vaccination clinics, pharmacies, primary case and mobile clinics.

The province says it has identified “hot spot” communities in 13 public health units, including Hamilton, Halton and Niagara, that will get priority vaccine distribution.

#Breaking a new targeted approach: Adults ages 50+ in “hot spot” neighbourhoods across 13 PHUs including #HamOnt, #Halton and #Niagara will now be prioritized as part of the Phase 2 plan. But it’s not for the ENTIRE region … Specific postal codes ONLY see photos. @CHCHNews pic.twitter.com/rOoF4eV0Pj

— Nicole Martin (@nicolemartintv) April 6, 2021

The L8W and L9C postal codes in Hamilton, L9E in Milton and L2G in Niagara Falls have been identified as hot spots.

We are waiting to get clarification on how people in these neighbourhoods will be able to book their shot.

As of Monday, 85 per cent of people 80 and older have received their first vaccine dose.

The province says 68 per cent of residents 75-79 years old have received their first shot, and 42 per cent of those 70-74 have.

Overall, just 18.5 per cent of Ontarians have received their first vaccine dose.