Mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic opens in Mississauga

A mass vaccination clinic has opened at the University of Toronto–Mississauga (UTM) campus in Mississauga. 

On March 1, Premier Doug Ford, retired General Rick Hillier, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie and Dr. Lawrence Loh, Peel’s Medical Officer of Health, announced the opening of Trillium Health Partners’ (THP) mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Mississauga.

Created in partnership between THP, UTM and Peel Public Health, the clinic will administer up to 2,000 vaccinations per day by the end of March and can grow to 4,000 per day in subsequent phases. 

THP says daily vaccination volumes are subject to vaccine supply and public health direction on priority groups.

In a news release, THP said the new COVID-19 vaccine clinic, located at UTM’s Recreation, Athletics and Wellness Centre (RAWC), “provides convenient community access with ample space that enables vaccine clinic staff to safely, efficiently and quickly accelerate vaccination capacity over the coming weeks.” 

The clinic operates from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, including holidays.

“The UTM campus is uniquely resourced to support the COVID-19 mass vaccination campaign. Specialized freezers, typically used for scientific research, have been designated to store the vaccines safely and securely. The campus also features accessible facilities, easy to reach by car or public transit,” THP said in a statement.

COVID-19 vaccines will be administered to priority groups by scheduled appointment only and walk-ins will not be permitted. Residents who are 80 years of age and older (those born in 1941 or earlier) can learn how to pre-register by clicking here. An online and phone booking system will be available in the coming week.

“THP has already administered over 21,000 vaccinations; today’s announcement is another important step towards achieving our collective goal to vaccinate the community safely and quickly,” said Michelle DiEmanuele, President and CEO, Trillium Health Partners, in a statement. 

“THP has been one of the hardest-hit hospitals in the province throughout COVID-19; the opening of this mass vaccination clinic brings hope for brighter days ahead.”

THP and Peel Public Health will continue to provide vaccinations to other priority groups such as long-term care and retirement home residents and frontline health care workers at hospital sites and other approved clinics. 

“I would like to thank THP and UTM for launching the first mass vaccination clinic in Mississauga today and for the Region of Peel’s support in helping us get here. It’s an incredible example of our partners working together to support the community at a critical time,” said Crombie in a statement. 

“It is so important that over the coming weeks we continue to ramp up vaccinations in order to protect our elderly residents, our schools, our hospitals and other vulnerable residents.”