New, simpler COVID-19 vaccine booking site launches for Waterloo region residents

A new COVID-19 vaccine appointment booking system was launched in Waterloo region Wednesday morning.

The new system will allow people who need a first dose to book an appointment and will allow anyone who is eligible to get an accelerated second dose to move their appointment, or cancel it if needed.

Terry Yantzi is the region's director of information technology services and he told regional councillors on Tuesday the new system should make the process go more smoothly for people.

"It'll be based on availability. So, I think right now, bookings are pretty solid I think until ... sometime early in July. But as supply increases, and the capacity of the clinics continues to increase, then users can find open spots to book themselves directly," he said.

He also warned people may need to be patient if a high number of people access the website right away.

"We expect to see a large number of people coming to the system, so there might be considerable load on the system in the next 24 to 48 hours, I would say, after we make the change Wednesday morning," he said.

So far, 75 per cent of eligible people aged 12 and up have received their first dose of the vaccine. As well, 20 per cent of people 18 and older have received both doses.

Walk-in appointments for 1st dose

The new system also comes the same day the region will open three clinics to walk-in appointments for people still seeking a first dose of the vaccine.

The clinics are:

• Health Sciences Campus Vaccination Clinic at 10 Victoria St. S. in Kitchener.
• The Boardwalk Vaccination Clinic at 435 The Boardwalk, Medical Centre 2 in Waterloo.
• Waterloo Region Public Health, 99 Regina St. S in Waterloo.

The hours for each clinic vary and the times can be found on the region's website.