High priority groups in Waterloo region can now pre-register for COVID-19 vaccine

High priority groups, including Indigenous adults and people over 80, can now pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine in Waterloo region.

People can register onlineor by phone by calling the region at 519-575-4400. The region said online registration is fastestdue to a high volume of calls at the centre.

People will be contacted for a vaccine appointment as early as this week, the region said.

Pre-registration is currently limited to:

• Adult recipients of chronic home health care.
• People aged 80 and older.
• Essential workers in long-term care or retirement homes.
• Health care workers.
• Indigenous adults.
• Staff, residents and essential caregivers of seniors congregate settings.
• Staff in long-term care or retirement homes.

"We are very close to celebrating completion of vaccinations in long-term care and high-risk retirement homes,"Shirley Hilton, deputy chief for Waterloo Region Police Service and head of the Waterloo Region Vaccine Distribution Task Force, said in a release.

"As vaccinations are completed and capacity is increased, we will continue to open up vaccination to more groups as quickly as possible. Pre-registration will help us to maximize capacity and book people in as soon as possible," Hilton added.

Meanwhile, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health has also opened up pre-registration for priority groups. Individuals in the listed groups can pre-register here.