Ottawa residents 90 and older line up for mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic

Ottawa's vaccination clinic opens First shots given to those 90 years and older at the Nepean Sportsplex. CTV's Jeremie Charron reports.

OTTAWA — As Ottawa residents aged 90 and older began lining up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at a west-end clinic, the city announced all appointments for this weekend had been booked.

The city of Ottawa opened its first mass vaccination clinic at the Nepean Sportsplex Friday morning, offering appointments to residents over the age of 90.   If you were born in 1931 or earlier and live anywhere in the city of Ottawa, you could book an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the city clinic.

Hours after the vaccination clinics opened Friday afternoon, the city reported "many people" were showing up to the clinic that didn't have an appointment.  Walk-ins will not be accepted at the vaccination clinics, and only eligible residents can make an appointment.

Hundreds of residents were in line when the Nepean Sportsplex clinic opened at 12:30 p.m.

"Butterflies, butterflies in me you know, because this is a big moment," said Joseph. "It's been over a year as you well know."

One day after turning 94, Holly Dobson was in line to receive her vaccine.

"It was lovely, today is lovely. It's been a long year for everybody," said Dobson.

The city of Ottawa is currently focusing on vaccinating all residents over the age of 90, and residents over the age of 80 in seven high-risk neighbourhoods.

Mayor Jim Watson announced earlier this week that 1,958 residents over the age of 90 booked an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. City staff estimate there are approximately 6,000 residents over the age of 90 eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The city announced Friday afternoon all available appointments for residents aged 90 and older at the Nepean Sportsplex had been "successfully" booked.

Additional appointments will be available on Monday, with the launch of the provincial booking system. The city says residents are advised to wait until Monday to book an appointment and not call for appointments Friday afternoon or over the weekend.

"Residents of all ages who are not yet eligible for the vaccine are encouraged to follow announcements on the city of Ottawa and OPH websites and social media channels, and from local news media, to learn when they can receive their vaccine," the city said in a media release on Friday. "These are also the best way for residents to learn when the provincial booking system goes live on March 15."

APPOINTMENT ONLY

In a statement to CTV News Ottawa Friday afternoon, the city said many people are showing up to vaccination clinics that don't have appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

People arriving at the vaccination clinics without an appointment caused large groups to form at the door ways.

City officials say only people with appointments should go to vaccination clinics and no walk-ins will be accepted.

To confirm that you are eligible for vaccination, please see the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Screening Tool . You will be able to book an appointment starting Monday through the Ontario government's website.

COVID-19 VACCINATIONS FOR RESIDENTS OVER 80 IN HIGH-RISK NEIGHBOURHOODS

Last Friday, the city began offering the COVID-19 vaccine to residents 80 and older in the following high-risk neighbourhoods:

On Monday, the city announced adults 80 and older and adult recipients of chronic home care can book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine if they live in one of the following neighbourhoods:

PATIENT-FACING HEALTH CARE WORKERS

Patient-facing health care workers in Ottawa can now pre-register on the Ottawa Public Health website for a COVID-19 vaccination appointment.

Mayor Watson says 5,897 workers have pre-registered to receive the vaccine.

The city said Monday that vaccine supplies will allow health-care worker vaccination to proceed to the province's "very high priority" group.

City officials admit the "very high priority" category is broad and includes tens of thousands of health care workers in Ottawa in the following settings and roles:

With files from CTV News Ottawa's Ted Raymond