Residents report issues booking COVID-19 vaccines on province’s new online system

Ontario’s new COVID-19 vaccine booking system is getting mixed reviews.

The system launched Monday morning, with residents 80 and older able to call in or book an appointment online.

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

Thousands of residents logged in to the system. At times, the site estimated the wait to reserve a shot to be upwards of an hour.

Several people are reporting issues with the site.

The provincial portal to book #COVID19 vaccine appointments online launched at 8am. We are getting dozens of complaints about technical errors. I just spoke with one man who says there’s no tech support line and has been waiting for hours on the phone for answers. @CHCHNews pic.twitter.com/3bmADo9Aql

— Nicole Martin (@nicolemartintv) March 15, 2021

I’ve tried at least 10 times and received this error. The one time I was able to move to add my email and cell number, when I clicked continue it gave me another error saying “unable to book an appt – call support” but no info for support.

— Joel Guerin (@joelguerin) March 15, 2021

I was in queue for over an hour this morning trying to book an appointment for my 93 yo grandmother.

— Vicki Thompson (@BlueJay1382) March 15, 2021

We have the same message and it’s scary BC that is a horrible message to give people that are giving identification online. Tried the online portal until 10:30 gave up and called the phone number. On Hold until now and the call person cannot figure out the Ontario Bookng system

— αмαи∂α ωнιтєℓαω (@SalamandaDawn) March 15, 2021

Residents having trouble booking their appointments through the online portal have been contacting their local health units for help.

Niagara Region and the City of Hamilton say they are receiving calls but are unable to help.

“At this time, we are not able to provide assistance over the phone until the technical issue is resolved,” said the City of Hamilton in a tweet.

“We apologize for the inconvenience.”

Halton Region is the only public health unit in our area which is not using the provincial booking system.

Eligible residents in Halton can book their appointments here.

Peel Region and Durham are also sticking with their own online booking systems.

On Monday, Ontario reported 1,268 COVID-19 cases and nine more deaths.

More than 33,000 people in the province received a shot of vaccine since Sunday’s report.