UPDATED: Ontario’s vaccine booking system now open to residents aged 80 and older

Ontario’s much-anticipated COVID-19 vaccine booking system for those aged 80 and up has launched, with thousands logging on within minutes.

The online booking system went live at 8 a.m. on Monday.

The site showed roughly 8,000 people in the queue for an appointment some five minutes later, with an estimated wait time of about an hour.

Qualifying residents can visit the online portal or call the hotline at 1-888-999-6488 to book their appointment.

But Premier Doug Ford is urging those who don’t yet qualify for a shot to keep off the website so it doesn’t crash.

FOR THOSE 80 & OLDER:

We have launched our provincial online booking system & customer service desk for #COVID19 vaccination appointments at mass immunization clinics.

If you are born in 1941 or earlier, please book an appointment at: https://t.co/ud58wBxJdJ pic.twitter.com/TZuWPW8JFe

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) March 15, 2021

The portal will allow people to book their first and second vaccination appointments at the same time.

Booking through the online portal will require a green photo health card since the numbers on both the front and back of the card are required.

The Ministry of Health says expired cards will be accepted.

Individuals with red and white health cards must call to book their appointments.

Some of Ontario’s 34 public health units have already established their own systems for booking vaccination appointments, but the provincial portal will either enhance or replace those setups in many areas.

The portal also provides instructions on how to schedule appointments based on protocols in place in each specific health unit.