Expanding COVID-19 Immunization Program in Next Phase of Rollout

Ontario is preparing to vaccinate up to 8.5 million people in phase 2 by the end of July 2021

As we continue to vaccinate our most vulnerable and those at greatest risk in Phase One of Ontario’s vaccination program, our PC government is keeping the momentum going by beginning Phase Two as early as March 2021 to overlap with the completion of Phase One, as soon as sufficient vaccines are available from the federal government.  

Vaccination of residents, staff, and essential caregivers of LTC homes has begun in many parts of the province, with the goal of having the first dose administered in all homes no later than February 15, 2021. Vaccination of all staff and residents in LTC in the four regions with the highest rates of transmission (Toronto, Peel, York, and Windsor-Essex) is expected to be completed by January 21.  

“With Phase One of our plan well underway, we’re getting ready to expand our vaccine rollout and get more needles into arms as soon as the supply is available,” said Doug Ford, MPP for Etobicoke North and Premier of Ontario. “We now have a well-oiled machine, led by General Hillier, and we are making tremendous progress. We know this second phase will be an even larger logistical undertaking than the first. That’s why we’re ramping up our capacity on the ground to ensure these vaccines are administered quickly, beginning with the people who need them most.”

Our government is preparing to immunize up to 8.5 million people before the end of Phase Two, if vaccines are available, including:  

• Older adults, beginning with those 80 years of age and older and decreasing in five-year increments over the course of the vaccine rollout;  
• Individuals living and working in high-risk congregate settings; 
• Frontline essential workers (e.g., first responders, teachers, food processing industry); 
• Individuals with high-risk chronic conditions and their caregivers. 

As part of Phase Two, Ontario is ramping up to distribute vaccines, as soon as we receive them from the federal government, by expanding which health care workers can administer COVID-19 vaccines, who can register through Ontario’s Matching Portal. We are also expanding the number of sites where Phase Two populations can receive a vaccine.

Phase Two is expected to be completed by end of July 2021 and Phase Three for the general population could begin as early as August 2021, pending availability of vaccines. Vaccination of populations in Phase One will continue until all vaccinations are complete.