The Scarborough Vaccine Team reached an incredible milestone: delivering half a million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine!

In a community so hard-hit by the pandemic that 16 of 17 postal codes were designated as COVID-19 hot spots in April, Scarborough Health Network (SHN) and the Scarborough Ontario Health Team partners excitedly administered their 500,000th COVID-19 vaccine dose on Friday – the first time in Canada that a hospital-led vaccine team has reached the half-million dose mark.

On Monday morning, SHN’s Dr. Mayo Ravichandiran vaccinated community member Karanjeet Singh, who was ceremonially recognized for the 500,000th vaccine dose. The 21-year-old, who has been living in Toronto for seven months, said he is getting his first dose of the vaccine.

“I am excited to be part of the celebration,” said Karanjeet. “I think it’s a good idea to get the vaccine. I work at a factory in Scarborough and I am proud Toronto is reopening and getting to do work as normal.”

This monumental achievement comes after more than eight months of a rigorous vaccination strategy involving neighbourhood pop-up clinics, a nimble mobile vaccine team, and a network of community clinics across Scarborough, including the busiest clinic in Toronto: the Scarborough Vaccine Clinic at Centennial College’s Progress Campus, which vaccinates an average of more than 1,400 people every day.

“Congratulations to Scarborough Health Network and the Scarborough Ontario Health Team partners for this incredible milestone of administering half a million COVID-19 vaccinations,” said Toronto Mayor John Tory. “I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all the health care workers on the frontlines, from vaccine clinic teams and volunteers, to our determined Scarborough community who have made this possible. We couldn’t have achieved this without you.”

While the vaccine team is celebrating, it is not slowing down. In addition to Centennial College, community clinics are also available at Carefirst Seniors and Community Services Association, The Hub (Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities), TAIBU Community Health Centre, and SHN’s Centenary and Birchmount Hospitals ” and pop-up vaccine clinics continue to be held throughout Scarborough.

“This is a proud day for Scarborough and the City of Toronto,” remarked Elizabeth Buller, President and CEO, SHN. “Our Scarborough Vaccine Team have demonstrated unwavering dedication and resilience during the pandemic. Their efforts display the true heart of community and the power of collaboration to provide the highest level of care for our patients, their families and Scarborough against COVID-19.”

SHN encourages anyone who has not received a first dose to walk in for vaccination, or book an appointment for their second dose. To book online or for more details, including upcoming pop-up clinics, visit www.scarbvaccine.ca or call 416-495-2593.