April 14, 2021 -Toronto Star
Pre-registering all Ontarians right away for COVID-19 vaccine could help with supply problems, hesitancy, councillor and health experts say
In a letter published Wednesday, Coun. Josh Matlow (Ward 12 Toronto-St. Paul’s) along with a group of doctors, epidemiologists and researchers, urged Premier Doug Ford, Health Minister Christine Elliott and members of the province’s science advisory table to open up the province’s online and call-in booking systems to allow residents to add their information — even if they aren’t yet eligible for the vaccine.
Pre-registration could ask residents for date of birth, postal code and contact information to register and the resident would receive an acknowledgement they’re on the list, as well as, eventually being notified when it’s their turn to book the jab.
“Once eligible, Ontarians could receive an email and/or text message outlining the next steps on how to officially book their vaccine appointment and applicable location(s),” says the letter co-signed by Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Health Policy Research at the NIA and Dr. Nathan Stall, Associate Fellow at the NIA, University of Toronto epidemiologist Dr. David Fisman and Tai Huynh, creative director of University Health Networks OpenLab.