CREDIT: FANSHAWE STUDENT UNION PUBLICATIONS
Ontario expands vaccine eligibility to individuals 18 and older ahead of schedule.

Starting at 8 a.m. on May 18, anyone over 18-years-old in Ontario will be eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccine.

The move comes as nearly 4.5 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are expected to arrive in Canada this week ahead of the May 24 long weekend, with an additional 4.7 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine expected to arrive in Ontario in June. Those looking to book a vaccine can do so through the provincial booking system, or through the Middlesex-London Health Unit.

Meanwhile, people 17-years-old who are turning 18 in 2021 will also be eligible to book a vaccine appointment only for the Pfizer vaccine. The Pfizer jab is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine that has been authorized by Health Canada for use in youth aged 12 and older. According to a statement released Monday, the Ontario booking system will note which clinics are offering vaccines to people who are 17-years-old.


Beginning the week of May 31, anyone between the ages of 12-17 will be eligible to book a vaccine through the provincial booking system.

Across the province, the government is continuing to expand access to the vaccine through a variety of channels. On May 14, over 500 additional pharmacies in all 13 hot spot public health regions began administering the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.