New self-serve option to book vaccination appointments in Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region – Starting Wednesday, June 23, residents of Waterloo Region are able to use the local booking system to schedule their own vaccination appointments at a public vaccination clinic. With the Region now receiving a more stable supply of vaccine we can move to direct booking. By eliminating the pre-registration process, it will be quicker and easier for individuals to get their appointment for the vaccine.

Now, anyone 12 years of age and older can use this self-serve option to book their own first-dose appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, residents who are eligible for their second-dose at an earlier interval can reschedule an earlier appointment themselves. These self-serve options are available on the Region of Waterloo website: RegionofWaterloo.ca/VaccineBook.

Residents also have the option of booking their first or second-dose appointments directly at many primary care locations and pharmacies across Waterloo Region directly through those providers.

As of tomorrow, anyone who got their first dose of an mRNA vaccine on or prior to May 30, and who lives in a Delta area hotspot such as Waterloo Region, will be eligible for an earlier second dose. Already eligible for an earlier second-dose appointment are individuals 70+; First Nations, Métis and Inuit individuals; highest-risk health care workers; and those with qualifying medical conditions. More information is available on the Region of Waterloo website: Second dose information

“It is important to respect the severity of the current situation in Waterloo Region. Widespread vaccination is critical to protect everyone from the Delta variant which is the most transmissible variant we have seen to date,” said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Medical Officer of Health for the Region of Waterloo. “Avoid close contact with those outside of your immediate household (or one other household exclusively if you live alone). In the presence of others outside of your household, keep a distance, wear a face covering, and only hold gatherings outdoors (up to the legally permissible limit).”

Residents are being encouraged to get both doses of vaccine for the best level of protection. Please accept whichever mRNA vaccine is first offered to you. Pfizer and Moderna are both highly effective and interchangeable mRNA vaccines. You will get effective protection if your first dose was Pfizer and your second dose is Moderna and, conversely, if your first dose was Moderna and your second dose is Pfizer.

-30-