Adults who live in COVID-19 hot spots will be eligible to book their COVID-19 vaccine appointments using the provincial system starting Monday.
Residents of 114 specific postal codes designated as hot spots will be able to book online starting at 8 a.m.
In our region, those postal codes are L9C and L8W in Hamilton, L2G in Niagara Falls and L9E in Milton.
The City of Hamilton has identified an additional three hot spot postal codes: L8L, L8N and L9K.
Residents there can book an appointment by calling Hamilton’s Public Health Services COVID-19 Hotline at 905-974-9848 and selecting option 7.
Those 18 and up in some Ontario hot spots had already been able to book vaccines, but not through the provincial portal.
Hamilton residents are reporting issues with the call-in booking systems, saying they are unable to get through.
Tried calling the Hamilton Covid vaccine hotline and it says they aren’t accepting calls. Go online to book and there’s no option for hot zone postal codes. #ridiculous #vaccine @HamiltonsMayor #HamOnt
— Michelle Sylvain (@MichellSylvain) May 3, 2021
Hamilton’s vaccination system totally overwhelmed (and I’m underwhelmed!) NOW, line is saying it is “temporarily unavailable”, and promised hotspot areas for 18+ cannot be good through provincial portal @CHCHNews @CHCHTV https://t.co/AZ9UYw4F6u
— cal (@calerost) May 3, 2021
173 attempted calls to book an appointment in 26 minutes. Either can’t get through or it disconnects if you stay on the line….this needs to be sorted out
— SCOTT.R.S (@SCOTTRS3) May 3, 2021
The city call volumes are “extremely high” and may result in a busy signal or the call being disconnected.
Call volumes at the Public Health COVID-19 Hotline are extremely high at this time, which may result in a busy signal or your call being disconnected unexpectedly.
Please be patient and keep trying between 8am-8pm, staff are actively answering calls. Thanks, #HamOnt.
— City of Hamilton (@cityofhamilton) May 3, 2021
The province will be further expanding eligibility on Thursday when online bookings open up to residents 50 and older.
Halton Region has expanding vaccine booking to residents 50 and older who cannot work from home starting Monday.
Others captured in that expansion include people with high-risk health conditions, those who can’t work from home including teachers and school workers.
First Nation, Inuit and Metis people not previously targeted in earlier phases of the immunization drive will also be included.