Ontario Has Just Expanded Its Vaccine Eligibility Again & 18+ Are On the List

The Ontario government announced on Monday morning that it's expanding vaccine eligibility at mass immunization clinics.

The initiative comes into effect at 8:00 a.m. on May 18. It will allow those aged 18 and over to book a vaccine appointment through the provincial booking system and call centre, or through public health units.

Earlier this month, the government expanded vaccine eligibility to residents living in one of 114 hot spot communities earlier this month.

"Ontario is experiencing very positive trends in vaccine demand. The province and public health units will continue to make appointments available as vaccine supply is confirmed," a news release from the Ontario government reads.

It's also worth noting that 17-year-olds who'll be turning 18 in 2021 can also book an appointment to receive a dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Pharmacies are also ramping up vaccine distribution

Earlier this month, the Ontario government also revealed that even more pharmacies would be administering COVID-19 vaccine doses to those 18 and up in hotspot regions.

In fact, the province expects to have 2,500 pharmacy locations that will begin offering the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine doses by the end of May.

On top of this, Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies announced on Monday that they would be offering rapid COVID-19 tests to anybody who doesn't have symptoms and who has not been in contact with somebody confirmed to have COVID-19.