Peel brings back “Doses after Dark” as vaccine coverage continues to rise

By Rob Paul

As Peel continues to aim for higher vaccine coverage in the Region, Peel Public Health has announced the return of “Doses after Dark.”

It's a COVID-19 vaccine clinic that increases access to Peel residents who are unable to get vaccinated during regular clinic hours.

The extended clinic hours will offer all eligible residents the flexibility to get their booster dose (or their first and second doses) during hours that fit their schedule.

No appointment are needed — residents can walk in to get their choice of vaccine for their first, second or booster dose — the clinics will also provide first and second doses to children five to 11 years old.

There will be two Doses after Dark dates with the first beginning at 1 p.m. on February 5 at the Save Max Sports Centre in Brampton and running until midnight. The second clinic will be at the Rockwood Mall Clinic in Mississauga on February 12 and run from 1 p.m. to midnight.

“Vaccination remains the cornerstone of protection for our residents against severe outcomes related to COVID-19,” said Dr. Lawrence Loh, Medical Officer of Health for Peel. “With our community starting to reopen as the Omicron wave resolves, it's critical for everyone who is eligible to get their best protection: two doses and a booster. We recognize that many Peel residents work in jobs where traditional clinic hours don't align with their personal schedules; Doses after Dark aims to address this situation by extending hours to make it easier to get protected. I encourage all eligible residents to get vaccinated and boosted as quickly as possible.”

Vaccine coverage and third booster shots have continued to rise in Peel where 3,169,443 doses have been administered. 1,396,190 individuals have one dose, 1,249,026 have both doses, and 521,991 have received their third dose booster.

The Region now has 79.5 per cent of all residents with two dose coverage and 85 per cent with single dose. 90.4 per cent of those 12 and older are double vaccinated and 93.5 per cent have initiated the vaccination process. 83.9 per cent of all eligible residents (5+) have both doses and 89.7 per cent have one.

In Peel, there have been 2,777 new COVID-19 cases in the last week—nearly 4,000 less cases than the previous weeks new total—to bring the total to 169,089. The Region's death count has now risen to 1,109 with 17 new deaths since last week.

Caledon has seen 121 new cases over the last week to bring the Town total to 7,307. There was also one new death this week with the count rising to 25.

To book a vaccine in the Region of Peel, visit www.peelregion.ca/coronavirus/vaccine/book-appointment. To schedule a third dose booster, visit covid19.ontariohealth.ca/.

To download or print a copy of your proof of vaccination, visit covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-vaccine-booking-support#proof-of-vaccination.

To learn more about the official QR code system Ontario has implemented and to access yours, visit covid-19.ontario.ca/get-proof/.