Appointments are are available for priority populations.
While COVID-19 vaccines will be offered to everyone who wants one by the end of 2021, Ontario’s Vaccination Plan has prioritized the initial doses for those who need it most. If you are unsure whether or not you should receive the vaccine, please discuss your concerns with your health care provider before booking an appointment.
Who is eligible to book a vaccine?
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 will notify the community as other priority groups are eligible for vaccine.
We are currently focusing on these priority groups.
Please check your eligibility group to see if you must provide proof at your appointment.
Special education staff |
Proof of eligibility requirements: Letter from the school board confirming eligibility Staff 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:
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Hot spot communities |
Proof of eligibility requirements: Identification (ID) with date of birth AND ID with postal code or any document with name and postal code Individuals 50+ living in the following postal code areas: L1S, L1T, L1V, L1X, L1Z
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Age |
Proof of eligibility requirements: ID with date of birth
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High-Risk congregate living settings (residents, frontline staff, and certain essential caregivers*) |
Proof of eligibility requirements: Staff – ID badge, residents and caregivers – verbally attest they live or provide care in one of the below congregate settings
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Health conditions (includes 1 essential caregiver for Highest Risk** and High-Risk*** individuals) |
Proof of eligibility requirements: Verbally attest to having one of the below health conditions Highest-Risk** (refer to dosing intervals; some conditions are eligible for 21 and 28 day dosing)
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Chronic home care recipients |
Proof of eligibility requirements: Verbally attest to receiving chronic home care services |
Faith leaders |
Proof of eligibility requirements: Verbally attest to being a faith leader providing the following services
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Indigenous adults 16+ and non-Indigenous adult household members |
Proof of eligibility requirements: Status Card, Métis Card, N Number |
Health care workers (HCW)**** eligibility depends on setting (health care vs non-health care) |
Proof of eligibility requirements: Workplace ID badge |
Definitions |
DefinitionsCongregate setting Residential facilities where a high-risk population live or stay overnight and use shared spaces (e.g., common sleeping areas, shared bathrooms or kitchens, communal dining spaces). *Essential caregivers for congregate settings Includes essential caregivers for developmental services, mental health and addictions congregate settings, homes for special care, children's residential facilities and Indigenous healing and wellness facilities. **Essential caregivers for Highest-Risk Can have one essential caregiver – no specific requirements for client or caregiver ***Essential caregivers for High-Risk One primary essential caregiver is included for individuals in the High-Risk health conditions group if they require regular and sustained assistance with personal care and/or activities of daily living. ****Health care worker/staff and frontline workers for congregate, residential or community settings
Health care setting (e.g., doctor’s office, walk-in clinic, chiropractic setting) All staff are eligible – all health care workers and other staff or volunteers, including those who do NOT provide direct patient care are eligible (e.g., custodial, security, reception staff).
Non-health care setting (e.g., group home, shelter, assisted living, correctional facility) Direct care staff only. Only workers providing a health service or direct patient care are eligible (e.g., a peer worker at a shelter, worker performing personal support services in an assisted living facility or youth worker in a group home). Individuals must provide in-person care and cannot work from home. Office staff are NOT currently eligible.
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Who is currently not eligible for the vaccine?
Phase 2 groups not listed above:
- People with at risk health conditions not listed above and some primary caregivers.
- People who cannot work from home (e.g., teachers, food processing industry, etc.) although planning for a small number of pilots of workplaces has begun.
Phase 3:
General public (adults 59 years of age and younger, except for adults 40 years of age and older who are accessing the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine at participating pharmacies and adults 50 years of age and older who live in priority neighbourhoods).
Information about how these groups can access their vaccine will be posted when available.
How do I book an appointment?
Durham Region Health Department continues to receive limited supply of vaccine from the province, but we anticipate that supply will increase shortly.
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.
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.

For residents who are unable to book online, appointments are also available by calling 1-888-444-5113.
Booking application questions, rebooking and cancelling your appointments |
Please review the eligibility criteria carefully before booking an appointment. Please be sure to bring any proof required to your appointment. You can check what proof is required in the eligibility section. Booking questions:
How do I rebook my first appointment?
What should I do if I haven’t received my second appointment email?
How can I rebook my second appointment?
If I am new to the region or province and have had my first dose of the vaccine, how do I book the second dose?
How do I cancel my appointment?
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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 except for certain conditions listed here. 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).
- One dose of the AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna vaccine provides good protection against COVID-19 infection, severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
- Increasing the time between your first and second dose allows your body to produce a stronger and longer immune response.
- Vaccinating more people with one dose will protect not only the people getting the vaccine, but also the people around them.
Mass clinics
Our mass immunization clinics will be offering either Pfizer or Moderna vaccine depending on the day and the site. You will not be given a choice on what vaccine you are offered. Both mRNA vaccines are safe and effective.
What you need to know before your COVID-19 vaccine appointment
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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Durham Region COVID-19 vaccination clinic 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.
Frequently asked questions about vaccination clinics
How are we supporting our senior population? Will they have access to mobile clinics? |
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 Durham College clinic location in Oshawa offers a drive thru option for clients who are able to leave their home, but unable to receive the vaccine in a mass immunization clinic environment. As of April 6, the Durham Region Health Department has started home vaccine visits for eligible clients. |
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 information will I need to book an appointment 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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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. |
AstraZeneca, pharmacies and health care providers
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.
- Pharmacies are now providing AstraZeneca to eligible people 40 or older.
- You must have an appointment to get vaccinated at a participating pharmacy.
- The AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and effective in preventing COVID-19 infection.
Mobile clinics
Individuals 18+ unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at a mass immunization clinic may be eligible to receive the vaccine through the Health Department’s mobile clinic team. Eligible individuals have difficulty accessing office-based health care services due to medical, physical, cognitive or psychosocial needs or conditions. Please review the following criteria to see if you, or someone you know, can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at home.
Individuals must:
- belong to a current priority group that is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine
- be unable to leave home due to medical, physical, cognitive or psychosocial needs/conditions (lack of transportation is not considered a barrier; see available transportation services)
- consent to receiving the vaccine in their home
- be 18 years of age and older
- not have received a first or second dose of the vaccine
- have no contraindications to the COVID-19 vaccine
- have been advised by their health care provider (e.g. family doctor, specialist, nurse practitioner) to receive the vaccine after discussing risks and benefits of vaccination if they have one or more of the following health issues:
- pregnant or breastfeeding
- immune system concern
- autoimmune condition
- bleeding disorder
Make a referral for the COVID-19 vaccine to be given at home
If you or someone you know meets the above criteria and you would like to make a referral for the COVID-19 vaccine to be given at home, please email RDPShomeboundCOVIDVaccine@durham.ca.
Please include the following information in the email: first and last name of the individual, address including postal code, phone number, and email address if it is different than the email address being sent.
About the COVID-19 vaccines
See Facts about... COVID-19 vaccines
General COVID-19 vaccine information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medical and safety information | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Vaccine approval and clinical trial (testing) information | ||||||
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How to find trustworthy information on the Internet | ||||||||||
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.
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Debunking the myths about the COVID-19 vaccines
Myths vs facts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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