COVID-19 mass vaccination clinic opens on U of T Mississauga campus

A pharmacist prepares vaccine doses at Trillium Health Partners’ mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic, located U of T Mississauga. Photo by Nick Iwanyshyn

Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Health Christine Elliott, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, MPP (Mississauga-Erin Mills) Sheref Sabawy, General Rick Hillier, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie and Dr. Lawrence Loh were on hand as Trillium Health Partners’ (THP) mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Mississauga opened at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) campus. A partnership between THP, UTM and Peel Public Health, the clinic will administer up to 2,000 vaccinations per day by the end of March and can grow to 4,000 per day in subsequent phases. Daily vaccination volumes are subject to vaccine supply and public health direction on priority groups.

The THP COVID-19 vaccine clinic at UTM’s Recreation, Athletics and Wellness Centre (RAWC) provides convenient community access with ample space that enables vaccine clinic staff to safely, efficiently and quickly accelerate vaccination capacity over the coming weeks. The clinic operates from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week, including holidays.

Specialized freezers, typically used for scientific research, have been designated to store the vaccines safely and securely

The UTM campus is uniquely resourced to support the COVID-19 mass vaccination campaign. Specialized freezers, typically used for scientific research, have been designated to store the vaccines safely and securely. The campus also features accessible facilities, easy to reach by car or public transit.

COVID-19 vaccines will be administered to priority groups by scheduled appointment only. No walk-in spots will be available. Community members who are 80 years of age and older, who want to be vaccinated, can learn how to pre-register by clicking here. An online and phone booking system will be available in the coming week.

The clinic complements THP’s ongoing Mississauga Hospital COVID-19 vaccination clinic, operational since December 2020, and forms part of Peel’s Community Mass Vaccination Plan.

Aligned to provincial government direction, the first phase of vaccination currently prioritizes groups including long-term care and retirement home staff and residents, hospital workers and paramedics. Most recently, Peel Public Health provided direction to expand the priority groups for vaccination to include primary care and Peel residents 80 years of age and older.

“THP’s COVID-19 mass vaccine clinic is now in place and ramping up to deliver the vaccine to Peel residents”

“THP’s COVID-19 mass vaccine clinic is now in place and ramping up to deliver the vaccine to Peel residents,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Clinics like this one will play a vital role in our provincial vaccination distribution plan in helping to administer COVID-19 vaccines quickly and safely to the people of Ontario.”

“I would like to thank THP and UTM for launching the first mass vaccination clinic in Mississauga today and for the Region of Peel’s support in helping us get here. It's an incredible example of our partners working together to support the community at a critical time,” said Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “It is so important that over the coming weeks we continue to ramp up vaccinations in order to protect our elderly residents, our schools, our hospitals and other vulnerable residents."

“THP has already administered over 21,000 vaccinations; today’s announcement is another important step towards achieving our collective goal to vaccinate the community safely and quickly,” said Michelle DiEmanuele, President and CEO, Trillium Health Partners. “THP has been one of the hardest-hit hospitals in the province throughout COVID-19; the opening of this mass vaccination clinic brings hope for brighter days ahead.”

“The University is pleased to offer its resources for this historic initiative to support residents’ health and well-being, here in Mississauga and in the wider Region of Peel,” said Professor Alexandra Gillespie, U of T Mississauga’s Vice President & Principal. “We are excited to collaborate with Trillium Health Partners and Peel Public Health, and look forward to safely welcoming members of the community. The THP vaccine clinic at UTM is a pivotal step for mass community vaccine delivery in Ontario.”

“Today marks another key step forward in implementing Peel region’s COVID-19 mass vaccine plan,” said Dr. Lawrence Loh, Medical Officer of Health, Region of Peel. “I want to thank all of our partners for their collaboration and leadership as we work to vaccinate the community.

For more information:

• Ontario’s Vaccine Program 
• Peel Region’s Community Mass Vaccination Plan 
• Trillium Health Partners COVID-19 Information 
• UTMTogether website

Follow us for updates on Twitter:

• @THP_Hospital
• @regionofpeel
• @UTM