June 24, 2021

Toronto, Ontario—VHA Home HealthCare’s (VHA) Tactical Healthcare Response Unit (THRU) is running a new pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Toronto’s Rexdale neighbourhood that opened on June 23 2021 in partnership with University Health Network, City of Toronto and Rexdale Community Health Centre.

The Rexdale neighbourhood has experienced higher rates of COVID-19 infection than the provincial average throughout the pandemic and is considered a COVID-19 hotspot.  It is also an area of Toronto with one of the lowest rates of COVID-19 vaccination.

 “I’m really glad to see that most Torontonians have taken the opportunity to begin the COVID-19 vaccination process. But until we remove barriers for all Torontonians to make an informed decision, we as a health system haven’t done our job. VHA’s THRU is proud to be part of this important work in the Rexdale community to ensure everyone who wants a COVID-19 vaccine can easily access both first and second doses in their community,” said VHA’s Susan Chang, Director, Strategic Transformations and Partnerships.

In response to the changing needs of Ontario’s healthcare system and the urgency of the provincial vaccine rollout in the wake of a third wave, Chang assembled THRU, a strategic team of experienced nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and non-clinical staff who can urgently respond to community health needs and challenges anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area.

“I love working as part of THRU because we are able to go directly into communities and provide information and vaccines to individuals in their own neighbourhood. We’re able to reach those who may not have access otherwise,” said David Yam, Resource Pharmacist Lead on VHA’s THRU.  

The pop-up clinic is located at the Albion Arena at 1501 Albion Road. Walk-in appointments are available. For up-to-date clinic hours and postal code availability, please refer to Rexdale Community Health Centre.  

The Albion Arena clinic is offering first dose appointments to any individual 12 years of age or older from any area. Second doses are available to those living in Delta variant hotspots, which includes the nearby M9W, M9V and M9R postal codes as well as M1B, M1G, M1J, M1R, M1S, M2R, M3J, M3K, M3L, M3M, M3N, M4A, M4H, M6M, M6N, M9L, M9M, and M9P. Proof of age and proof of workplace, school or residence located in these postal codes are required.

For media inquiries please contact:
Isabel Terrell
Communications Specialist
VHA Home HealthCare
Email: iterrell@vha.ca