About one-third of Ottawans have at least one shot of COVID-19 vaccine, as demand continues to soar

Almost one-third of residents in Ottawa have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, as many have resorted to waiting in significant line-ups for their chance to get a shot.

According to Ottawa Public Health's (OPH) vaccination dashboard, 279,208 residents received their first dose of vaccine within the province of Ontario, while 26,686 Ottawans have received both shots. In total, the OPH dashboard shows they have distributed 328,527 doses, which is 94 per cent of its current supply. 

Many sites that offer COVID-19 vaccines, such has pharmacies, are continuing to experience skyrocketing demand after the Ontario government lowered the eligible age for the AstraZeneca shot to 40 years and up.

In a series of tweets, OPH is clarifying that it doesn't play an active role in the vaccine distribution within pharmacies and that the province deals with them directly instead.

So, pharmacies & vaccines. Quick thread.

We've received many questions about this (regarding inventory, eligibility, etc) and we wish we had answers for you.

But the Province is dealing directly with the pharmacies on their rollout (i.e. we don't have an active role).

(1/4)

— Ottawa Public Health (@OttawaHealth) April 26, 2021

The health unit is also urging Ottawans who received their vaccination through a pharmacy to be kind to staff while reminding people that once the eligibility window opens for an age group or demographic, it doesn't close.

This comes as hundreds of residents flocked to the Loblaws at College Square on Monday, April 26, after the Twitter account 'Vax Hunter Canada' posted that the grocery store's pharmacy would be offering walk-in vaccinations throughout the day.

[ON] Ottawa 40+ Loblaws pharmacy College square ottawa today 8-5 walk in #COVID19 #COVID19Vaccine #COVID19ON #vhcON

— Vaccine Hunters Canada (@VaxHuntersCan) April 26, 2021

According to multiple social media posts, the line-ups for the sprawled down the parking lot of College Square and around the block.

Live look at (part of) the line in front of the College Square Loblaws.

Not pictured: College Square Loblaws pic.twitter.com/QQmibRI3Lw

— Sean Bawden (@SeanBawden) April 26, 2021

In Ontario, the latest data shows 4,696,211 doses administered as of 8 p.m. April 26, 2021.