Dear Staff,

 

Further to the information we provided on Friday, we now have more clarity and wanted to provide an update with regard to the Government of Ontario’s prioritized vaccinations for education workers — specifically those who support students with special education needs and those who live or work in “hot spot” neighbourhoods. It is important that you review the following information prior to booking your appointment as there are specific requirements for different groups of staff. It’s important to note that while staff referenced below are now eligible to book a vaccination appointment, it is now our understanding that the actual date of the appointment may not be this week, but in the weeks ahead, as vaccine supply becomes available.

 

Education workers who support students with special education needs

More than 2,300 personalized letters that staff can use to prove their eligibility at the immunization clinic location were distributed via email on Friday. We continue to receive additional names from school principals and will be sending out additional letters daily until finished.

 

• To book your appointment, please call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1-888-999-6488 (TTY 1-866-797-0007). Please note that this appointment system is operated by the Government of Ontarioand the booking of dates, times and locations are determined by the government. The Government of Ontario has confirmed to the TDSB that eligible staff will be required to have their personalized letter PRIOR to booking an appointment. This letter must also be brought with you on the day of your appointment (email or hard copy).

 

Education workers who live or work in “hot spot” neighbourhoods

As you know, the Government of Ontario has identified (by postal code) “hot spot” Toronto neighbourhoods for COVID-19. Education workers who work in schools in these “hot spot” neighbourhoods (or itinerant staff that visit these schools) will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. At the TDSB, more than 15,000 staff fall into this category. A personalized letter that these staff can use to prove their eligibility at the immunization clinic locations was to be sent beginning on Friday, however due to the number of staff involved, it is taking longer than anticipated. Letters have already begun being sent directly to these eligible staff via email this afternoon and will be completed over the next two days.

 

Please note ONLY those who work in schools located in “hot spot” neighbourhoods will receive a personalized letter. For education workers who live in a “hot spot,” they are also now eligible to receive a vaccine, however do not require a personalized letter from the TDSB (although they may receive one if they work in a school located in a “hot spot”).

 

• To book your appointment, please call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1-888-999-6488 (TTY 1-866-797-0007). Please note that this appointment system is operated by the Government of Ontarioand the booking of dates, times and locations are determined by the government. The Government of Ontario has confirmed to the TDSB that eligible staff (who work in a “hot spot” but do not live in “hot spot”) will be required to have their personalized letter PRIOR to booking an appointment. This letter must be brought with you on the day of your appointment (email or hard copy). Education workers who live in a "hot spot" will have to provide proof of residency.

 

Thank you for your patience as we work with the Government of Ontario and Toronto Public Health to provide as much information as possible about next steps. We will continue to update you should new information become available.