Booking system overwhelmed by people seeking COVID-19 3rd-dose appointments at Waterloo region clinics

The booking system for people to book COVID-19 vaccine appointments at Waterloo region clinics has been overwhelmed in the past 48 hours and people may face lengthy waits.

During a regional council meeting Wednesday night, Coun. Elizabeth Clarke said she had heard from people who were eager to get a third dose, but were also frustrated with the process. Clarke, while sitting in the council meeting at 9:30 p.m., logged on to the system to book an appointment and saw there was an hour wait.

This week, people aged 50 and older became eligible for third doses. On Monday, people aged 18 and older will be eligible to book appointments for third doses, the province announced.

Vickie Murray, the region's vaccine services director, said because of that increased eligibility and concerns about the Omicron variant, demand is high. As soon as the region is able to open up new appointments, they're booked within minutes, she said.

"We are not able to keep up with the demand for appointments," Murray said. "This is a distinct change from even a week ago when we had lots of appointments."

The region's medical officer of health Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang told regional councillors Wednesday night that the region is "ramping up as quickly as we can" to provide third doses to people aged 50 and older right now, and as of Monday, people aged 18 and older.

She said getting third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine into the arms of Waterloo region residents will be an "all hands on effort" between public health, doctor's offices and pharmacies.

Clinics, pharmacists or doctor's offices

Wang urged people to seek the fastest avenue to a third dose once they're eligible.

"Our regional vaccine clinics are quite popular but residents may not be aware that we have many, many pharmacy options available," Wang said.

"They also are getting increased supply from the province and they're opening up more appointments."

Murray agreed that people may find they have to wait for an appointment at a regional clinic. Murray noted supply of vaccine is not a concern at this time. Instead, staffing of all positions at the clinics in a short timeframe has been a challenge.

But, she added, that hasn't stopped the region from planning ahead, which includes to bring back the "hockey hub" style of vaccine clinic at Bingemans on Dec. 22 and 23 to move more people through the system.

"We have to be innovative and collaborative if we're going to meet the needs of our community," Murray said.

Coun. Mike Harris expressed concerns that the demand for third doses could impact the "vulnerable group" of children. He told councillors he had looked online to book appointments for his children and said he had hoped there would be more options for them.

Murray said the region is working with the school boards to set up clinics in schools, but also the children appointments "weren't filling up" so the region opted to open up those spots for people seeking third doses.