Ministry of Education
Early Years and Child Care Division
315 Front Street West, 11th Floor
Toronto ON M5V 3A4
TO: Consolidated Municipal Service Managers and District Social Services
Administration Boards (CMSMs and DSSABs), Child Care Licensees
FROM: Phil Graham, Assistant Deputy Minister, Early Years and Child Care Division
DATE: April 27, 2021
SUBJECT: COVID-19 Vaccine Update – Access for Child Care Workers
Thank you for your continued efforts in keeping children, families, and child care staff safe during this challenging time. The Ministry of Education is committed to keeping you informed of measures Ontario is taking to protect health and safety, and the purpose of this communication is to inform you of the latest developments regarding access to COVID-19 vaccines for child care workers.
In follow-up to today’s announcement, I am pleased to confirm that beginning Thursday, April 29, 2021, child care workers will be eligible to book vaccination appointments. At this time, child care workers eligible for this phase of vaccine access include the following individuals:
In the coming weeks, eligibility will be expanded to child care workers in unlicensed child care settings across the province.
Registration for vaccine appointments for child care workers who meet the eligibility criteria above will begin no earlier than Thursday, April 29, 2021.
Eligible workers who are in a Public Health Unit (PHU) using the provincial booking system will be asked to book their vaccination appointment by calling theProvincial Vaccine Booking Line number at 1-833-943-3900. The line is open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Individuals will be asked identifying questions, such as the child care setting in which they work.
PHUs not using the provincial booking system (see appendix) will provide further details on how child care workers within their jurisdiction can book appointments. Please watch for updates and announcements from your local PHU.
Please ensure eligible child care workers do not call the provincial booking system or attempt to book an appointment until Thursday, April 29, 2021, as they will be unable to secure an appointment prior to this date.
Further, it is important that child care staff/providers be patient during this period, as it could take time for them to receive an appointment. While the child care staff/providers will now have the eligibility to book an appointment, this announcement does not prioritize the group ahead of others who are also currently eligible. We ask that child care staff/providers continue to monitor public service announcements in their communities to determine whether they may be eligible to register for a vaccine based on other eligibility criteria.
For general inquiries, individuals can call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line number 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1-888-999-6488.
Licensees are asked to provide a letter, on letterhead, to each eligible employee/provider as soon as possible, citing the eligibility criteria above, and including the following information:
Child care licensees are asked to keep a record of the number of staff/providers that have received letters confirming their eligibility and to share this with their local PHU, upon request, for their planning purposes.
This represents general guidance from the province, and licensees are encouraged to confirm specific arrangements with their local PHUs.
Supporting vaccination for eligible child care workers is in addition to recent announcements to vaccinate individuals aged 45 and over by postal code in COVID-19 hot spot zones, mobile and pop-up clinics for individuals aged 18 and over in COVID-19 hot spot zones, and those with highest-risk health conditions. The province also offers the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to all individuals aged 40 and over at pharmacies and primary care settings across the province effective Tuesday, April 20, 2021. Visit How to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment for more information.
Please note that local PHUs are responsible for managing and overseeing the distribution and administration of vaccines for their entire region. PHUs are required to take multiple factors into consideration including local context and available supply of vaccine. Timing of the booking of appointments and administration of vaccines for child care staff/ providers may therefore vary for reasons beyond the PHU’s control (e.g., vaccine supply).
It continues to be important to reinforce strong adherence to health and safety protocols in child care settings whether or not child care workers have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Please refer to the latest health and safety guidance available on the ministry website.
The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced several challenges. We would like to thank the child care sector, Registered Early Childhood Educators and all child care workers for their dedication and commitment to supporting Ontario’s children and families during this time.
Sincerely,
Phil Graham
Public Health Units not using the provincial call centre Bureaux de santé publique locaux n’utilisant pas le centre d’appel provincial
