COVID-19 vaccine eligibility expands for those at risk, can’t work from home in Simcoe Muskoka

People who live in Simcoe County or Muskoka and have an at-risk health condition or can’t work from home are now eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccination.

Those with at-risk health conditions include people with an autoimmune disorder, dementia, diabetes, liver disease, heart disease, a diagnosed mental disorder or a substance use disorder, among others.

Those who can’t work from home include grocery store and pharmacy workers, social services staff and transportation workers, among others.

Everyone who is aged 40-plus will also be eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccine starting Thursday.

0:50 Ontario says high-risk health-care workers will be eligible for 2nd COVID-19 vaccine at expedited interval

All other groups who were previously eligible to book a coronavirus immunization may continue to do so. This includes people with the highest risk and high-risk health conditions, the first group of people who can’t work from home under Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccination plan, Indigenous adults, child-care and education workers who serve children with special needs, health-care workers, essential caregivers for long-term care residents and congregate setting residents.

Those living in the Bradford, Ont., L3Z hot spot are also eligible to book their COVID-19 inoculation. Moreover, anyone living in Bradford can get vaccinated at a pop-up immunization site.

Pharmacies and primary care providers are also offering the AstraZeneca vaccine to adults aged 40-plus.

In Simcoe Muskoka, eligible groups can also sign up for a same-day COVID-19 vaccine standby list.

Starting the week of May 17, adults turning 30 or older in 2021 will be eligible to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine. Beginning the week of May 24, those turning 18 or older in 2021 will be eligible.