More Toronto vaccine clinics report harassment from people ineligible for second doses
by Denise Paglinawan, The Canadian Press
Posted Jun 1, 2021 5:11 pm EDT
Families and youth aged 12 and older line up for a COVID-19 vaccine at Gordon A Brown Middle School in Toronto on May 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Several COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Toronto are asking residents to wait their turn for a second shot, saying staff have been harassed by people demanding to be fully vaccinated despite not being eligible.
The province recently announced it was shortening the interval between vaccine doses,
Family and emergency physician Dr. Lisa Salamon-Switzman said vaccination clinics set up by Scarborough Health Network have seen several instances of individuals pushing for second shots despite not meeting the criteria.
Starting on Monday, Ontarians aged 80 years and older are eligible to receive their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Volunteers spent all weekend scrambling to prepare to help seniors secure their shots.
Ottawa's medical officer of health says guidance is in the works to help Ontarians with only a single dose of a COVID-19 vaccine understand the dos and don'ts, but Dr. Vera Etches is reminding everyone to remain vigilant until that happens.