Two provinces will open vaccination to people aged 18 and over
Residents will be able to sign up as early as May.
Two provinces in Canada — Ontario and Quebec — intend to open vaccination registrations to people 18 years of age and older. Ontario authorities hope to do so as of May 24 and Quebec as of May 14.
Ontario
Currently, Ontario residents 55 and older can sign up for the vaccination. The province is expecting an increase in vaccine supplies in May, so the age will gradually be lowered:
- from May 3, bookings will open for people aged 50 and over;
- from 10 May — for people aged 40 and over;
- from May 17 — for people in their 30s;
- from 24 May — for people aged 18 and over.
In addition, as early as next week, Ontario wants to start vaccinating employees who cannot switch to remote work. These include teachers and school staff, emergency workers, inspectors, law enforcement officers, day-care and other child-care staff, agricultural workers, and ritual service workers.
Quebec
Vaccination appointments are now available for people aged 50 to 59. From the beginning of May, the age will be lowered:
- from May 3, people aged 45 to 49 will be able to sign up;
- from May 5 — people between the ages of 40 and 44;
- from May 7 — people between the ages of 35 and 39;
- from May 10 — people 30 to 34 years old;
- from May 12 — people between the ages of 25 and 29;
- from May 14 — people 18 to 24 years old.
Quebec, like Ontario, is expecting a large supply of vaccines in the coming weeks. The province has set a goal of at least one vaccination for all residents 18 years of age and older by June 24, and with the increased supply, authorities are confident they can achieve that.
People over 45 years of age will be offered the AstraZeneca vaccine. Due to recent events the age limit for this drug is not going to be lowered. The fate of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the first batch of which was was due to arrive in Canada this week, has not yet been decided — Quebec is waiting for a recommendation from the National Institute of Public Health.
