• COVID-19
• Commencement at HWDSB
• Senior Team
• Trustees
• Accessibility
• Indigenous Education
• Budget and Finance
• Human Rights and Equity
• Labour Update
• Media and Communications
• Policies
• Public Consultation
• Purchasing
• Research and Privacy
• School Renewal
• Severe Weather
• Multi-Year Strategic Plan
• Transportation
• Mental Health Strategy
• Wifi in HWDSB Schools

Ontario Opening Up COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility to All Education Workers

On Monday, May 3, 2021, Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s Minister of Education, and Nancy Naylor, Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Education, provided the following update regarding vaccine eligibility for education and child care workers:

“Building on the current vaccination roll-out for education staff who support students with complex special education needs and staff in hot spot areas in Toronto and Peel, we are pleased to share that, beginning May 6, 2021, remaining eligible education staff province-wide will be eligible to register for vaccination appointments.

Eligibility:

Education staff eligible to book vaccination appointments include any school board staff or student transportation partners who typically work in-person in elementary and secondary schools. Examples include: educators, custodial staff, administrative staff, and school bus drivers.

Timing and Registration:

Registration for vaccine appointments for education workers who meet the eligibility criteria above will begin no earlier than May 6, 2021 at 8:00 a.m.

Education staff who are in a PHU using the provincial booking system can visit the provincial website to book online or can call the provincial call centre at 1-833-943-3900 to book their appointment. Staff may be asked identifying questions, such as the school in which they work. For more information please direct staff to How to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment.

PHUs not using the provincial booking system will reach out to school boards directly to provide information on specific instructions for staff to book vaccinations. 

Please ensure education staff do not call the provincial booking system, attempt to book an appointment online, or through their PHU until May 6, 2021, as they will be unable to secure an appointment prior to this date.

For general inquiries, individuals can call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line number 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1-888-999-6488.”

For more information, you can visit our COVID-19 vaccine webpage or City of Hamilton’s webpage. For those who are currently eligible, you can also book your vaccine on the City’s website.

On Friday, April 30, 2021, Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s Minister of Education, issued the following statement on vaccine eligibility for education and child care workers:

“Ontario’s education and child care staff have gone above and beyond to support students and working parents at this critical time.

To keep them safe, as early as the week of May 3^rd, all education workers across the province will be eligible to book an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine. With education staff eligible starting next week, and licensed child care settings currently eligible, we are building momentum to defeat this pandemic. 

With more stable vaccine supply, we are ensuring every front line worker in our schools and child care settings can get vaccinated. We are incredibly grateful for their hard work and dedication to Ontario youth.”

This statement comes after Ontario’s announcement of an accelerated vaccine rollout. Here is an updated COVID-19 vaccination schedule for Ontario:

For those looking to book vaccine appointments, Ontario has included some information in its media release:

• Eligible groups can use Ontario’s vaccine booking system to find out how to schedule an appointment, or can call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line number at 1-833-943-3900. For general inquiries, individuals can call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line number at 1-888-999-6488. The Provincial Vaccine Booking Line and Information Line are open Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and are capable of providing assistance in 300 languages.
• Ontarians who are now eligible to book their vaccine appointment are asked to be patient, as it could take time for them to receive an appointment. Public health units are responsible for managing and overseeing the distribution and administration of vaccines for their entire region, and supply may be limited at times as a result of high demand.

For more information, you can visit our COVID-19 vaccine webpage or City of Hamilton’s webpage. For those who are currently eligible, you can also book your vaccine on the City’s website.