Ontario is expanding the age eligibility for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to individuals aged 40 and over.
“Starting Tuesday, April 20, 2021, Ontario will offer the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to individuals aged 40 and over at pharmacy and primary care settings across the province,” Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, said in a statement on Monday, April 19, 2021.
“As we continue to fight COVID-19, we are doing everything possible to get as many vaccines into arms as quickly and safely as possible. We continue to be actively engaged with Health Canada on updated AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine safety. Last week, based on the review of available data from Europe and United Kingdom, Health Canada announced that it was not restricting the use of AstraZeneca vaccine in any specific populations at this time.”
Dr. Williams said by extending vaccination eligibility for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at pharmacies and primary care settings to individuals aged 40 and over, Ontario will be able to offer the protection of the vaccine to more Ontarians earlier than anticipated.
“With supply of AstraZeneca available at this time, the expansion of eligibility will also significantly increase access to vaccines in hot spot communities,” Dr. Williams stated.
“The health and safety of Ontarians is always our top priority, and for that reason, only COVID-19 vaccines that Health Canada determines to be safe and effective are approved for use in Ontario. All COVID-19 vaccines available in Ontario have been shown to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death. Adverse reactions are extremely rare. We strongly recommend that everyone book their appointment as soon as they are eligible.”
Dr. Williams added Ontario has administered over 3.86 million doses of the vaccine to Ontarians to date, and all of their partners and health care workers are continuing to work hard to administer doses as quickly as possible to Ontarians.
Monte McNaughton, MPP in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex and the Minister of Labour, was thrilled with the news late Sunday evening.
“Best news in a long, long time,” McNaughton posted on social media.
“AstraZeneca will be available to people 40 plus as of this Tuesday in pharmacies and primary care settings provincewide. Statement from Health Minister Christine Elliot says the move is based on current supply.”
Three pharmacies in Chatham-Kent are currently offering COVID-19 vaccine, including: the MacTavish Pharmacy located at 480 St. George Street in Dresden, the Rexall pharmacy located at 401 St. Clair Street in Chatham and the Shoppers Drug Mart located at 420 Queen Street in Chatham.
People can book their shot at the Dresden pharmacy, here, at the Chatham Rexall, here, and the Chatham Shopper’s Drug Mart, here.
The full list across Ontario can be found, here.
