Responsible people usually try to be a bit early for an appointment.  But, in the case of a COVID-19 vaccination appointment with the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU), do not be too early.

According to Medical Officer of Health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, some people have been arriving for their vaccinations at least one hour early.  This has led to long lines, waiting, and a challenge for EOHU staff who are responsible for receiving individuals who have made an appointment.

“It really creates a backlog,” said Roumeliotis.

At the maximum, individuals should be no more than five to 10 minutes early for their vaccination appointment.

Roumeliotis also reminded everyone who books their appointment using the provincial website to be sure that they complete the consent form.  The website has not been notifying people of the need to do this and has led to delays at vaccination centres where visitors and staff have had to take extra time to complete the forms.  The Ontario government is working on adding a reminder to people of the need to complete the consent form.

How to make an appointment

Ontario residents 75 years of age and older can now book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment using Ontario’s online booking system. In accordance with the latest recommendations, those booking will be given appointments for first and second doses, 16 weeks apart.

The EOHU has launched an online pre-registration tool and asking all remaining individuals listed within the province’s Phase 1 priority populations, who have not yet been vaccinated or not yet booked an appointment, to pre-register. Pre-registration facilitates booking appointments quickly and easily as vaccine supply increases and more appointments become available.

Provincial Online Booking System

Ontario’s vaccine booking system has began accepting vaccine bookings for individuals who will be turning 75 or older in 2021 (born in 1941 or earlier). Booking is available at www.Ontario.ca/bookvaccine. Individuals who require assistance with booking can call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1-888-999-6488.

The booking system will screen for eligibility based on age using health card information. Appointments can be made by an individual or with the help of family or an informal caregiver (note: family/informal caregivers born after 1946 cannot book an appointment for themselves at this time, however, they may use the EOHU Pre-Registration tool to pre-register for an appointment).

If you have a family member or provide care to someone who was born in 1946 or before, please encourage them to get vaccinated. Vaccinations will be available BY APPOINTMENT ONLY at vaccine clinics being held across the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry; the United Counties of Prescott-Russell; and the City of Cornwall. Alternate arrangements will be made for individuals who notify us of barriers preventing them from physically going to a clinic.

EOHU Pre-Registration Tool

Those who are not in the 75+ age group, but who are eligible for the vaccine based on the Phase 1 priority populations, must first pre-register using the EOHU online pre-registration tool at www.EOHU.ca/register.

Once vaccine supply permits, those who have pre-registered will receive a code that will give them access to the provincial booking system.

Please note that pre-registration does not guarantee that you will get an appointment immediately. You may not get your appointment booking code for a week or longer, depending on vaccine supply.