COVID-19 Vaccines

Ontario's Vaccine Distribution Implementation Plan includes detailed information on how COVID-19 vaccines will be prioritized and distributed in Ontario. The plan will be rolled out in three phases.

Phase 1

As Ontario’s receives more vaccine, the next target groups within the Phase One priority groups are now available:  

• Residents, staff and essential caregivers in long-term care homes that have not yet received a first dose of vaccine. 
  • Those who fall under this priority group should contact the long-term care home/employer; please do not contact the TBDHU as all communication will come from the long-term care home.
• Alternative level of care patients in hospitals who have a confirmed admission to a long-term care home, retirement home or other congregate care home for seniors.
  • Those who are fall under this priority group will be offered a vaccine as an inpatient in hospital.
• Highest Priority health care workers, followed by Very High Priority health care workers, in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization.
  • These vaccine will be delivered in collaboration with community health care partners.
  • Those who fall under this priority group will be contacted by their employer; please do not contact the TBDHU as all communication will come from the employer.
• Indigenous adults in northern remote and higher risk communities (including on-reserve and urban communities).
  • Planning is underway as the TBDHU works with local Indigenous health care and community partners.

When all reasonable steps have been taken to complete first-dose vaccinations of those listed above, the following groups will be immunized:

• Adults 80 years of age and older.
  • In the City of Thunder Bay, adults 80 years and older will be eligible first.
  • In District communities, the starting age will be based on local numbers.
  • Individuals should watch the local news, as well as our website and social media channels, for information on how to register for a vaccine appointment. Once this information is available it will be shared right away.
• Staff, residents and caregivers in retirement homes and other congregate care settings for seniors (e.g. assisted living).
  • Those who fall under this priority group will be contacted by their employer; please do not contact the TBDHU as all communication will come from the employer.
• Health care workers in the High Priority level, and in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization.
  • Those who fall under this priority group will be contacted by their employer; please do not contact the TBDHU as all communication will come from the employer.
• All Indigenous adults.
  • Planning is underway as the TBDHU works with local Indigenous health care and community partners. More information will be shared soon.
• Adult recipients of chronic home care.
  • Those who fall under this priority group will be contacted by their home care provider;  please do not contact the TBDHU as all communication will come from the home care provider.

Read more about Phase 1.

Phase 2

Scheduled for March to July 2021, depending on availability of vaccines, for the following groups:

• Older adults, beginning with those 80 and older and decreasing in five-year increments over the course of the vaccine rollout.
• People who live and work in high-risk congregate settings eg. shelters, community living.
• Frontline essential workers, including first responders, teachers and other education staff and the food processing industry.
• Individuals with high-risk chronic conditions and their caregivers.
• Other populations and communities facing barriers related to the determinants of health across Ontario who are at greater COVID-19 risk

Read more about Phase 2.

Phase 3

Scheduled for August 2021 and beyond, depending on availability of vaccines, for the following groups:

• Remaining Ontarians in the general population who wish to be vaccinated. The Ethical Framework for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution will help to prioritize groups within this phase.

Read more about Phase 3.

TBDHU will address priority populations within each phase to align with the provincial plan.

Within phases 1 and 2, TBDHU will work with community partners in both the City of Thunder Bay and the surrounding district communities to implement these priorities. Individuals who are eligible will be contacted.

The full roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccines in our region will take several months to complete. When the public is able to book an appointment for a COVID-19 immunization, it will be advertised widely in our communities. 

This page will be updated as the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out progresses and new information becomes available, including progress to date.

March 2021

• Clinics begin to be offered in Thunder Bay to adults aged 85 and older. Read more in the news release.

February 2021

• Significant progress achieved throughout the month with the immunization of health care workers (through the TBRHSC), essential care partners and staff of long-term care homes.
• TBDHU partnered with community agencies to provide vaccine to vulnerable populations.
• TBDHU supports the work of health system partners in each District community to implement plans based on provincial priorities and local need.
• First and second doses have been given to residents of long-term care homes in Thunder Bay and District communities. Read more in the news release.
• Operation Remote Immunity delivering vaccine to 31 remote First Nations communities in Northern Ontario is in progress.

January 2021

• First dose to residents and staff of long-term care homes in Thunder Bay has been completed. Read more in the news release.

Those eligible in Phase 1 will always be eligible and should contact their employer if they missed an opportunity at their workplace. They will be contacted when vaccine is available.