Appointments are available for eligible priority populations.
We encourage all residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine. If you are unsure about whether or not you should receive the vaccine, please discuss your concerns with your health care provider before booking an appointment.
If you are not seeing appointments in the booking system, this means that there are no appointments currently available. Appointments are based on vaccine availability, which is the responsibility of the province working in partnership with the federal government. Once vaccines spots have been fully booked, clinic appointments are no longer available. As additional vaccine is confirmed, more spots will be added.
How do I book an appointment for the vaccine?
Current priority groups
Currently we are moving into Phase 2 of the provincial plan. Vaccination of Phase 2 populations will be based on age and risk factors as outlined in provincial guidance. For more information please see the Ministry of Health Guidance for Prioritization of Phase 2 Populations for COVID-19 Vaccination.
We are currently focusing on these priority groups:
- Adults 60 years of age and older, or who will be turning 60 in 2021.
- Residents 50-plus living in provincially identified "hotspots" in Ajax and Pickering within postal codes L1S, L1T, L1V, L1X and L1Z. Appointments are available at the Ajax and Pickering clinics for these residents.
- Special education staff - those who provide direct in-person support to students with complex special needs in Durham Region. Eligible staff support students who meet one or more of the following criteria (require support with activities of daily living, including health and safety measures, are unable to wear masks for medical reasons, have complex medical needs, cannot be accommodated through remote learning).
A letter from your school board confirming eligibility is required. - All Indigenous adults and adult household members.
- Individuals with health conditions, starting with Highest-Risk and High-Risk health conditions.
- Highest-Risk Health Conditions include:
- Organ transplant recipients; Hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients; Neurological diseases in which respiratory function may be compromised (e.g., motor neuron disease, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis); Blood cancer diagnosed < 1 year; Kidney disease with eGFR < 30.
- Individuals in the Highest-Risk group may have their main essential caregiver* vaccinated.
- High-Risk Health Conditions include:
- Obesity (BMI > 40); Other treatments causing immunosuppression (e.g., chemotherapy, immunity weakening medications); Intellectual or developmental disabilities (e.g., Down Syndrome).
- Individuals in the High-Risk group may have their main essential caregiver* vaccinated.
- Highest-Risk Health Conditions include:
- High-Risk Congregate Living Settings
- Residents, essential caregivers and staff in High-risk congregate living settings (residential facilities where a high-risk client population live or stay overnight and use shared spaces e.g., common sleeping areas, shared bathrooms, shared kitchens, communal dining spaces). Includes supportive housing, developmental services/intervenor including independent living, adult correctional facilities, children’s residential facilities (residents over 16, staff and foster parents), employer-provided living accommodations for temporary foreign agricultural workers (temporary foreign workers and other staff working at these sites).
- Essential caregivers* are included for the following congregate settings: developmental services, mental health and addictions congregate settings, homes for special care, children’s residential facilities, and Indigenous healing and wellness facilities.
*An essential caregiver is someone providing direct, frequent and sustained in-person personal care and/or assistance with activities of daily living to the individual.

For residents who are unable to book online, appointments are also available by calling 1-888-444-5113.
For clients who are deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing and would like to request an interpreter for a vaccination appointment at a Durham Region COVID-19 immunization clinic, please call 1-888-444-5113 (using Bell Relay as needed) to book an appointment and request the presence of an interpreter at your appointment.
Durham Region Health Department continues to receive limited supply of vaccine from the province, but we anticipate that supply will increase shortly. We will notify the community as other priority groups are eligible for vaccine.
Extension of second dose for all COVID-19 vaccines
The province has extended the time between the first and second dose for all COVID-19 vaccines currently available in Canada. As of March 10, 2021, all second doses have been moved to 16 weeks (or 112 days) to ensure more people can receive the first vaccine due to still limited supply. This decision was made by the Chief Medical Officer of Health based on recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).
Ensuring the mass immunization clinics are accessible for seniors
We want people coming to the clinics to know that they are accessible and following all public health measures to help ensure people feel comfortable and safe. These measures include:
- The online booking system encourages clients to bring a support person with them to clinic, if needed, as well as any mobility devices.
- A call centre to book appointments, as an alternative to booking through the online portal is available. The call centre booking line phone number is 1-888-444-5113.
- If needed, staffing "ambassadors" are available to escort seniors through the clinics if seniors do not have an assistive device, or are not accompanied by a support person.
- Chairs will be available and offered to seniors at the clinic, and clinical and administrative float staff will be monitoring lines and supporting seniors, as needed.
- Assistive devices will be available at clinics and offered to seniors, if needed.
- The Region has partnered with community agencies to provide free or low-cost transportation for seniors to attend vaccination clinics if transportation costs are a barrier.
See transportation options for Durham Region COVID-19 vaccination clinics.
Transportation options for Durham Region COVID-19 vaccination clinics |
The following community agencies can provide free or low-cost transportation to attend vaccination clinics, if transportation is a barrier.If you have questions or need assistance coordinating transportation, please contact the agencies listed below directly.
Community Care Durham’s staff and volunteer drivers offer transportation to seniors throughout Durham Region. Drivers are screened each day, wear personal protective equipment, and only transport passengers from one household at a time. Masks are mandatory for passengers. Accessible vans and regular vehicles are available. Rides to the clinics can be booked seven days a week, including evenings, depending on availability.
Learn about free, convenient Durham Region Transit options for Durham residents who are travelling to COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Scheduled Service is available on routes across the Region. Refer to durhamregiontransit.com for details, or contact a customer service representative at 1-866-247-0055 for assistance to plan your trip. On Demand is a shared ride service. Customers may book through the On Demand app, or by calling call an On Demand booking agent at 1-866-247-0055. Specialized Services provides public transit service for eligible persons with disabilities who are unable to use conventional transit services for all or part of their ride. Customers with a disability can travel with a support person if they are unable to use DRT services independently. A support person does not pay a fare. Registration is required. Visit durhamregiontransit.com for full details, or contact a customer service representative at 1-866-247-0055.
Oshawa Senior Community Centres 55+ (OSCC) The OSCC will transport Oshawa residents to clinics located in Oshawa. They have four accessible walk-on vehicles and four drivers available to transport seniors to and from Oshawa vaccine clinics, on Monday through Friday.
Seniors on Wheels offers transportation in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa.
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Availability and distribution
The provincial government is leading the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in Ontario through a three-phased distribution implementation plan. In Durham Region, the COVID-19 Vaccine Steering Table (with representation from Durham Region Health Department, Lakeridge Hospital, and local primary care physicians) is planning and implementing COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration for Durham residents according to the provincial plan, vaccine availability, and the provincial ethical framework.
COVID-19 vaccine at pharmacies
Pharmacies across Durham Region are now included in the province’s COVID-19 vaccine pharmacy program.
See information on current pharmacy locations included in this program.
Mobile clinics
Mobile clinics will also be available to provide vaccine to populations and individuals who may have difficulty accessing larger clinics.
Now that all long-term care homes and regulated retirement homes in Durham Region have received first-dose vaccines, the Health Department is actively planning for mobile clinics for high-need congregate settings (i.e. shared amenities, a history of outbreaks, high-priority communities, majority age of the facility, postal code/priority neighbourhood, etc.), as well as adult recipients of chronic home care services who cannot come to the vaccination clinics.
Planning is also underway to provide vaccine to individuals who cannot attend mass immunization clinics. Individuals in congregate settings will have access to the mobile team; however, as the capacity of the mobile team is limited, the Health Department is also planning for low and no-cost options to help transport people not living in congregate settings to mass immunization clinics.
Individuals living in retirement residences (e.g. individual apartments) are directed to attend the mass immunization clinics with their prioritized age booking categories.
As well, family physicians and pharmacies may soon have access to new vaccines; this may help to increase the amount of vaccine available to seniors living in communities and residences that are not congregate settings.
Current vaccine clinic locations
COVID-19 vaccination clinics are operating for priority populations at the following locations.
Residents who meet current eligibility requirements are welcome to book an appointment at any Durham Region clinic of their choice as follows:
- Audley Recreation Centre
1955 Audley Road North, Ajax L1Z 0L2 | Map this location - Uxbridge Arena*
291 Brock Street West, Uxbridge L9P 1G1 | Map this location - Scugog Arena*
1655 Reach Street, Port Perry L9L 1P2 | Map this location - Rick MacLeish Memorial Community Centre Arena*
91 Elliot Street, Cannington L0E 1E0 | Map this location - The Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex
2440 Durham Regional Hwy. 2, Bowmanville L1C 3K2 | Map this location - Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex Arena
(entrance at back of building) - formerly known as Pickering Recreation Complex
1867 Valley Farm Road, Pickering L1V 6K7 | Map this location - Durham College and Ontario Tech University
2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa L1G 0C5 | Map this location - McKinney Centre
222 McKinney Drive, Whitby L1R 3M3 | Map this location
*These clinics will operate on a rotating basis; every week there will be one clinic scheduled for Brock and two clinics each scheduled for Uxbridge and Scugog.
Municipal vaccine locations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please do not call your health care provider or the Health Department asking to be added to a waiting list. We will share more information about the availability of COVID-19 vaccines for the broader population as soon as more details are available. |
Frequently asked questions about vaccination clinics
Who is currently eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment? |
See a list of the current priority groups eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment in Durham Region. |
When and how will residents in senior retirement homes be informed? Will they have access to mobile units? |
Seniors who are able to attend a mass vaccination clinic are encouraged to do so. This will help to provide seniors with the quickest access to the vaccine. If you need assistance with transportation, see transportation options for Durham Region COVID-19 vaccination clinics. The Health Department has a vaccine working group that is currently planning for delivering mobile clinics to individuals who cannot attend stationary vaccination clinic sites. |
Will seniors have to wait in line outside? |
Appointment times are assigned; do not arrive more than 10 minutes before your appointment. Hopefully this will mean no line ups and no one waiting outside. |
Which vaccine will be administered at these clinics? |
Durham Region clinics will either have Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Both are mRNA vaccines, safe and 94-95 per cent effective. |
Will residents have a choice in vaccines? |
No. Residents will be provided vaccine based on Health Department supply. |
What forms of personal identification will be needed to book an appointment online? (Will people need to plan ahead and have their health card ready to register their senior parents online?) |
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How and where will the public receive information about vaccine clinics? |
The Health Department has developed a vaccine communications strategy. This is a very fluid plan that will allow for a flexible approach to ensure communications can be targeted based on current situations/issues.
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What date will each clinic site open? |
The number of clinic sites that will be opening is dependent on vaccine supply available in Durham Region. See a current listing of clinic sites. |
When residents book an appointment, will they book for their first and second vaccination? |
Clients only book an appointment for their first dose. When they complete their first dose at a clinic, a second dose booking is sent to them by email upon check-out from the clinic. |
Can a resident go anywhere in Durham to get their vaccination or is their local municipality the preferred location? |
People who live in Durham Region can register for an appointment at any Durham Region clinic. |
Do we have any literature regarding vaccine hesitancy that we can share? |
A number of FAQs, as well as a list of myths versus facts, are available on this page. |
Which priority groups have received the vaccine to date? |
The Health Department has worked with Lakeridge Health to ensure that all immediate priority groups, as outlined by the province, have been vaccinated. This included:
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Do you have concerns about COVID-19 vaccines?
Are you overwhelmed about all of the COVID-19 vaccine information on the Internet?
It is normal to feel nervous about new things. The Internet is filled with all sorts of information and you want to do what is best for you and your family. It is important that you review information that is trustworthy, science-based and updated on a regular basis.
Here are some points to consider to ensure that a website has credible, trustworthy, non-biased, science-based information:
Who are the authors of the website? Can you trust them? How can I contact them? |
Look for information on the website to find out more about the organization and how to contact them. It’s best not to use information from a site if you can’t tell who is responsible for the content. Health information should be endorsed by a trustworthy health agency or professional organization. Experts should be identified using their credentials (e.g. degrees, current positions etc.). |
Has the site been developed by a reputable leader such as a government organization, professional association, or respected non-profit organization? |
Some special interest groups publish information that isn’t based on evidence, or that focuses on the organization’s opinion of an issue. |
Is the information credible? Does the information seem reasonable? |
Credible information is based on up-to-date evidence that comes from proper research. Unless you have special training in ‘research methods’, it can be hard to tell if health information is based on proper research. Look for the following when trying to find credible information:
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Is the information presented in a professional way using clear and easy-to-understand language? |
Be wary of information that is based on the experiences of a few individuals who may not have professional expertise in that specific area. |
Frequently asked questions
Is the vaccine checked for safety after it has been approved? |
Yes, in Canada there is ongoing monitoring and reporting of every vaccine given. If a reaction occurs after getting a vaccine that is not one of the normal side effects, an adverse event following immunization (AEFI) form is completed by your health care provider. The AEFI form will detail what vaccine was received, when it was received, the reaction that occurred and how long it took the reaction to appear after the vaccine was given. Check out the COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in Canada website to see the AEFI reports to date. |
Are the COVID-19 vaccines halal? |
Yes, the two vaccines currently approved for use in Canada are halal. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna do not contain gelatin or pork products. |
Are the mRNA vaccines vegan? |
Yes, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are vegan. The lipids and cholesterol are plant-based or synthetic. There are no:
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Can I get the vaccine if I am immunocompromised? |
Immunocompromised individuals were not a part of clinical trials for either of the vaccines. This means no research was done on this population so there is no safety information available. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends you speak with your health care provider to determine if the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the potential risks. |
What percentage of the population needs to get vaccinated to have "community immunity"? |
Community immunity is the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through previous infection. It is much safer to get herd immunity through vaccination than infecting the population.
The percentage of people who need to be immune in order to achieve community immunity varies with each disease. At this time, it is unknown how much of the population must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to begin inducing community immunity. This is an important area of research and will likely vary according to the community, the vaccine, the populations prioritized for vaccination, and other factors. |
Debunking the myths about the COVID-19 vaccines
Myths vs facts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Common questions and answers
See Facts about... COVID-19 vaccines
Why get vaccinated? | ||||||||
While many people with COVID-19 have only mild illness, others may get a severe illness or they may even die. There is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you, even if you are not at increased risk of severe complications. COVID-19 vaccination helps protect you by creating an immune response without having to experience the illness of COVID-19. |
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What vaccines are approved? | ||||||||
These vaccines will be an important tool to help stop the spread of the virus. |
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How do the mRNA vaccines work? | ||||||||
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How do the viral vector-based vaccines work? | ||||||||
Viral vector-based vaccines use a harmless virus (in this case, adenovirus) as a delivery system. The vector virus is not the virus that causes COVID-19, the adenoviruses are viruses that cause the common cold. Once injected into the body, the virus contained within the vaccine produced the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The spike protein doesn’t make you sick, it causes the body to mount a strong immune response against the spike protein by creating antibodies and eliminate it from the body. | ||||||||
How effective are the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines? | ||||||||
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How effective are the viral vector-based vaccines? | ||||||||
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Is the vaccine safe? | ||||||||
Health Canada’s independent drug authorization process is known worldwide for its high standards and demanding reviews. Decisions to authorize vaccines for use in Canada are based only on scientific and medical evidence demonstrating that vaccines are safe and effective. These stringent requirements have not changed for the approval of COVID-19 vaccines in Canada. Check out this video about vaccine safety in Canada. You may be interested in Do they check vaccine safety after the vaccine has been approved? and How was Health Canada able to approve the COVID-19 vaccine so quickly? |
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How was Health Canada able to approve the COVID-19 vaccine so quickly? | ||||||||
Creating a new vaccine can take years. The COVID-19 vaccine happened so quickly for many reasons including:
Health Canada developed a fast-track review process to assess COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccine manufacturers were able to submit research and new evidence for review by Health Canada as it becomes available and throughout clinic trials. Previously, all clinical trials had to be completed prior to applying for Health Canada approval. Health Canada has implemented greater scientific resources, so reviews are completed in a timely manner without compromising any standards for vaccine use in Canada.
Check out this video for more information about how the COVID-19 vaccine was developed. |
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Can the mRNA vaccine alter a person's DNA? | ||||||||
No. mRNA cannot alter or modify a person's DNA. mRNA vaccines do not affect or interact with DNA and mRNA is destroyed by cells once the body has finished using its instructions. |
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Can the COVID-19 vaccine cause a COVID-19 infection? | ||||||||
No. The COVID-19 vaccines do not use a live virus, so getting the infection from the vaccine is impossible. The COVID-19 vaccines cannot cause a COVID-19 infection. |
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Who were the mRNA vaccines tested on? | ||||||||
The clinical trials included over 70,000 people; 43,448 people were included in the Pfizer trials; 30,000 people were included in the Moderna vaccine trials. Approximately 42 per cent of global participants have racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds. Clinical trials include a wide variety of people to be sure the evidence will support the diverse needs of our population. There are some groups of people who were not included in the clinical trials, including people who are pregnant or breast/chestfeeding, people under the age of 16, or people who have weaker immune systems. Vaccine clinical trials typically start with healthier people and, if successful, go on to other at-risk populations. This can take additional time to decide if a vaccine is effective but is very important as these people are at greater risk of adverse COVID-19 impacts. The vaccine trials included people over the age of 65 and the vaccine was found to be safe and effective in this age group. |
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Who were the viral vector-based vaccines tested on? | ||||||||
The clinical trials included over 55,000 people; 44,325 people were included in the Janssen trials; 11,636 people were included in the AstraZeneca vaccine trials. Approximately 20 per cent of global participants in the AstraZeneca trials and 40 per cent of global participants in the Janssen trials have racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds; The majority of the people in the clinical trials were under the age of 65 and healthy. There are some groups of people who were not included in the clinical trials, including people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, people under the age of 18, or people who have weaker immune systems. Vaccine clinical trials typically start with healthier people and, if successful, go on to other at-risk populations. This can take additional time to decide if a vaccine is effective but is very important as these people are at greater risk of adverse COVID-19 impacts. |
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Can I get the vaccine if I am pregnant and/or breastfeeding? | ||||||||
Pregnant and breastfeeding people were not a part of clinical trials for any of the vaccines. This means no research was done on this population so there is no safety information available. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends you speak with your health care provider to determine if the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the potential risks. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) released a statement in favour of getting the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy and during lactation if they are eligible and no contraindications exist. Read their consensus statement. |
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Do I need the vaccine if I already tested positive for COVID-19? | ||||||||
Yes. Individuals who previously tested positive for COVID-19 are encouraged to get the vaccine if they are no longer symptomatic and meet other eligibility criteria.
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Are there any side effects? | ||||||||
Side effects reported in clinical trials for this vaccine include:
In rare cases, serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) can occur. Allergic reactions can be treated and are usually temporary. |
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If a person develops an adverse reaction to a vaccine, what should they do? | ||||||||
If you develop a reaction to the vaccine, contact your health care provider who will report the side effect directly to public health. Public health will keep track of the reported side effects to make sure the vaccine continues to be safe. |
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Are there any precautions myself or my family should take? | ||||||||
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Who should get the vaccine? | ||||||||
The COVID-19 vaccine is in limited supply at this time.
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Who should not get the vaccine? | ||||||||
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How will I know where to get my vaccine when I am eligible? | ||||||||
Health care and essential workers should speak with their employer about the process for obtaining the vaccine. Long-term-care homes (LTCH) in Durham Region are working with Lakeridge Health directly and immunizations are being provided to staff on a determinant schedule to ensure LTCHs remain fully staffed throughout the vaccine rollout. Family members calling about obtaining the vaccine should contact the LTCH directly for information. |
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After I get the vaccine, do I still need to follow public health guidelines? | ||||||||
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What other resources are available? | ||||||||
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