COVID-19 vaccine registration to be kept local in Waterloo region, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph

As the provincial COVID-19 vaccine booking system launches Monday, local public health units say they'll stick to the systems they already have put into place.

Waterloo regional police deputy chief Shirley Hilton, who heads up the region's vaccine distribution task force, said in a release on Sundaythat the province has asked communities that already have a booking system to continue to use it "to alleviate expected pressure on the provincial system."

"We will continue to use the region's booking system for the immediate future and will work with the province in the days and weeks ahead," Hilton said.

There are two ways to pre-register for the vaccine in Waterloo region:

• On the Region of Waterloo website:COVID-19 pre-registration form.
• Through the Service First Call Centre: 519-575-4400.

The region says people have the option to be contacted by email, text or phone when it's their turn for an appointment, but warns it could take up to four to six weeks to be contacted for an appointment. The region asks people to avoid calling to check where they are in the queue.

Local system means 'speedy' vaccinations

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health will also keep using the local system it's been using since last month.

Dr. Nicola Mercer, medical officer of health, said in an email that staff at public health are "very proud" of the local system, which has "facilitated the speedy vaccination of residents in our region."

Mercer noted the local system is already tied into the provincial data network.

"The launch of the province's registration portal is something we will monitor closely. If switching systems maximizes our ability to vaccinate as quickly as possible, we will make the switch," she said.

In Guelph, Wellington County and Dufferin County, people can pre-register for a vaccine in three ways:

• Through the WDG Public Health website.
• By calling 1-844-780-0202, although public health does not recommend this unless absolutely necessary due to high call volumes.
• Call a Guelph or Wellington County library branch where staff will help.

Provincial registration

When the provincial registration page launches on Monday, people who are aged 80 and older will be eligible to book an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

For people who have a red and white health card or if a person needs help with booking an appointment, the province says they shouldcall the information line at 1-888-999-6488. That phoneline willbe operational as of8 a.m. on Monday.

In order to reduce high traffic volumes, the province is asking people who are not yet vaccine eligible to avoid calling the line or clogging up the online system.