TORONTO, ONTARIO - William Osler Health System (Osler) is proud to announce an innovative partnership with Humber College and the University of Guelph-Humber (UofGH) to expand access to the COVID-19 vaccine for residents in Osler’s North Etobicoke catchment area.
On Wednesday, April 14, Osler will transition its Etobicoke COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic, currently located at its Etobicoke General Hospital site, to the Osler-Humber College COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at the UofGH building at Humber’s North Campus. This location change will increase access to the vaccine in North Etobicoke and continue to serve the residents of the area.
“After a successful partnership with our Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Centre, Osler is pleased to work alongside Humber College and the University of Guelph-Humber again to create greater access to vaccinations at its campus and better meet the health needs of the North Etobicoke community,” said Kiki Ferrari, Chief Operating Officer, William Osler Health System. “This community has been hard-hit by COVID-19 and through this partnership, we want to ensure as many people as possible are vaccinated.”
As part of this partnership, Osler will provide oversight of the Vaccine Clinic and offer practical experience for Humber and UofGH students. As many students have not been able to receive a clinical placement due to COVID-19, the Vaccine Clinic transition will provide important on-the-job training for the next generation of clinicians who will benefit immensely from the practical, real-world experience of administering vaccines to local residents.
"Humber and the University of Guelph-Humber are pleased to be able to provide space on campus to assist our community with the important rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations," says Chris Whitaker, President and CEO, Humber College. "This initiative, in partnership with William Osler Health System, will also provide much-needed and once-in-a-lifetime work-integrated learning experience for our students in a variety of health care related programs."
All appointments booked on or after April 14 will automatically be moved over to the Main Lobby at the UofGH building at Humber’s North Campus. Initially, between April 14 and 16, the clinic will maintain similar hours to the clinic at Etobicoke General Hospital, between 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The goal is to ramp up to open seven days a week and have hours that can accommodate essential workers in the community who may work shifts.
“The Osler-Humber College COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic is another great example of Ontario’s rapidly increasing vaccine infrastructure. It will be critical to get more vaccines into the arms of Etobicoke residents as quickly as possible and allow us to utilize every resource including our bright and capable Humber College and UofGH students,” says the Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario and Member of Provincial Parliament for Etobicoke North. “The partnership between Osler, Humber and UofGH is a great example of the Team Ontario spirit and demonstrates how our health care and post-secondary partners are coming together to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
Appointments at the Osler-Humber College COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic can be booked online through Osler’s website or by phone at 905-494-6685, from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., seven days a week. Vaccinations are by appointment only.