Mayor’s Mailbag – December 2021 Roundup – Vaccine Booster Eligibility, Clearing After Major Snowfalls

Mayor's Mailbag

Dec 16

Written By

Welcome to the Mayor’s Mailbag – December 2021 roundup.The Mayor’s Monday Mailbag is a weekly initiative Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and the Mayor’s Office has launched to share answers to questions from the public we’ve received through our main email inbox at mayor@burlington.ca or the Mayor’s social media platforms.At the end of the month, we publish a roundup of those most pressing questions we’ve received in the weeks prior.Please note that the Mayor's Monday Mailbags will be return in January 2022.Mayor’s Mailbag – December 2021 Roundup

VACCINE BOOSTER ELIGIBILITYQUESTION:“Are there any updates on when more of us can starting getting the COVID-19 vaccine booster shots?”ANSWER:The Province announced on Dec. 10 that as of today (Monday, Dec. 13 at 8 a.m.), individuals aged 50 and older will be eligible to schedule their booster dose appointment. This will expand booster eligibility to approximately 5.5 million people.The Province had originally announced that third-dose boosters would be expanded to all Ontarians aged 18 and older starting in January 2022, however, on Dec. 15, it was announced the eligibility date would be moved up to Monday, Dec. 20 — appointments can be booked approximately three months after receiving a second dose.Please see below more details released from the Region of Halton.Following Provincial direction, starting Monday, December 13, residents 50 years of age and older (born in 1971 or earlier) can book an appointment to receive a third dose/booster of COVID-19 vaccine through Halton’s online booking system. Residents are eligible 6 months (or 168 days) after their second dose.“We have had great success with our vaccination program so far and 87 per cent of our residents are fully vaccinated,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “Thank you to everyone who has rolled up their sleeves or helped someone get to their appointment. We have a team of friendly and highly skilled staff and clinics in all four municipalities ready to provide more third doses. There are also other ways to get the vaccine in our community including many pharmacies, GO-VAXX bus stops and participating primary care providers.”To help make it easier for residents to determine when they are eligible for their third dose/booster, Halton has launched an online Third Dose Calculator. Users are prompted to select their eligibility group and the date of their second dose and are then provided with their eligibility date.All third dose/booster appointments must be booked through Halton’s online booking system or by calling 311. Appointments are available at Halton Region Community Clinics located Burlington, Halton Hills, Oakville and Milton.Third doses boosters are also available at many pharmacy locations across Halton and Ontario. The Province’s pharmacy finder tool allows residents to quickly sort by location and vaccine type (Pfizer or Moderna).“With the emergence of the Omicron variant in our community, I urge all residents to be vigilant and get fully vaccinated to gain strong protection,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health. “If you are eligible for a third dose, I encourage you to get it as soon as possible to gain an extra layer of protection. Getting vaccinated at a pharmacy is another quick and easy option, and with so many pharmacies participating across the region, there is likely one or more right in your neighbourhood. Thank you to everyone who is rolling up their sleeves or helping someone get their vaccine.”First and second doses still available and strongly encouragedAchieving high first and second dose coverage remains a top priority for Halton and Ontario. Starting Monday, December 13, Halton will resume offering walk-ins for first and second doses for residents 12+ at community clinics on days scheduled for 12+ vaccinations. Walk-ins will not be accepted for paediatric vaccine (5-11 year olds) and third dose/boosters.Residents can also get first, second and third doses through:

Provincial GO-VAXX bus stops – New! Now also offering first doses of the paediatric vaccine for 5-11 year olds;
100 pharmacies in Halton and locations across Ontario; and
participating primary care and paediatric providers.

Important information & instructions

Starting Monday, December 13, residents 50 years of age and older (born in 1971 or earlier) can book an appointment for a third dose/booster through Halton’s online booking system. Residents are eligible 6 months (or 168 days) following their second dose.
- This is in addition to certain moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals and those receiving dialysis who are already eligible. These individuals should speak with their primary care provider/specialist to discuss vaccination and complete a referral form before booking their appointment through Halton’s clinics.
Third dose/boosters are also available at participating pharmacies and some primary care providers. To find a pharmacy close to you, use the Province’s pharmacy finder tool, or you can contact your primary care provider.
Starting Monday, December 13, walk-ins for first and second doses for residents 12+ will be accepted at Halton’s community clinics. Walk-ins will only be accepted on clinic days scheduled for 12+ vaccinations. Appointments are still encouraged and walk-in availability will be limited.
- Walk-ins will not be accepted for paediatric vaccine (5-11 year olds) and for third dose/boosters.
Residents who access the Provincial booking system will be guided back to Halton’s system. Please do not contact clinics directly.
Residents who require assistance can call 311 to book their appointment. Please only call 311 if you require immediate booking support or do not have internet access. As we expect an increase in volume, please be patient while Halton makes sure those who require support have access to this service.
Residents requiring additional assistance, language supports or other accommodations at a community clinic can contact 311 prior to their appointment to arrange for supports.
- Transportation services to and from appointments are available, free of charge, for those who require it.
- Parking is free at all clinic locations.
To prepare for your appointment, please remember to:
- bring your health card. If you do not have a health card, bring photo ID with your name and date of birth;
- arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before your appointment;
- wear a mask;
- complete a wellness check before entering a clinic, using the Provincial COVID-19 Screening Tool;
- attend appointments alone if possible. You may bring one support person if required (for example, a caregiver or interpreter); and
- visit Halton’s Preparing for your vaccination webpage for additional information.

To learn more about Halton Region’s COVID-19 Vaccine Program, including eligibility for third doses, how to book an appointment, to get answers to frequently asked questions or find accurate information on vaccine safety, please visit halton.ca/COVIDvaccines

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CLEARING AFTER MAJOR SNOWFALLSQUESTION:“If there’s a big snowfall, when can I expect the City plows to clear my street?”ANSWER:The City of Burlington is ready for snow and cold and is sharing helpful information for residents to know for this winter season. Residents wanting to stay informed on snow event declarations, facility closures and re-openings and recreation program changes due to inclement weather should subscribe to respective newsfeeds at burlington.ca/enews and follow the City of Burlington on Facebook and Twitter.Plows will clear primary and secondary roads when accumulation of 5 cm is reached.When accumulation reaches 7.5 cm, the City will declare a “Snow Event”. During a snow event, road clearing updates will be sent to Snow Control Update subscribers at 9 a.m., 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. To receive Snow Control Updates by email, visit Burlington.ca/enews to subscribe.When weather events such as snow or freezing rain become more extreme and safe travel becomes more challenging, the City may decide to close some or all City facilities such as community centres, pools, arenas and City Hall.It is important for people to know that a declared snow event does not automatically mean all City facilities are closed or programs are cancelled.When City facilities are closed due to weather, residents can stay informed by subscribing to Facility Closure updates at burlington.ca/enews, or by checking our website at burlington.ca/facilityclosures. The recorded message at 905-335-7738 will also be updated when facilities are closed due to inclement weather.On occasion, a program may be cancelled when City facilities remain open. For instance, if staff are unable to travel to operate the facility or the program instructor is unable to travel safely. If a program is cancelled when the facility remains open, staff will make all efforts to contact the participants in advance when possible.Snow Clearing Service Levels

Residential roads are not maintained to bare pavement but are sanded as required at intersections, hills and sharp curves to enhance traction.
All sidewalks are plowed after 5 cm of accumulation and salted or sanded as required.
Roads will generally be cleared 24-hours after the snowfall has ended. Heavy snowfalls or successive storms can sometimes extend this period longer than 24 hours. Please be patient as our crews work to clear the busiest streets first.
The City is not responsible for clearing windrows left on driveways when the plow passes. If you think you will need help clearing the windrow, please make arrangements such as speaking with your neighbours, family members or hire a contractor.
Visit the road plowing priority map to see which roads are designated as primary, secondary and residential roads.

Parking During the WinterWhen a snow event is declared, there is no parking on any city streets until after the snow event has been declared over. The City thanks residents for their cooperation to move their vehicles off city streets to help with snow clearing operations. Residents who park their cars on streets blocking snow removal could be faced with a $120 parking ticket or be towed.All existing parking exemptions are invalid during snow events.Snow events and parking restrictions are announced through the City’s social media as well as through Snow Control Updates which can be found at burlington.ca/snow. Snow Control Updates can also be emailed to any resident who subscribes.What Residents Can DoDuring the winter season, the City of Burlington maintains 1,900 lane kilometres of roads and 850 kilometres of sidewalks. Residents can help with the removal of snow from streets and sidewalks by following road safety and parking rules:

Please wait until 24-hours after the snowfall has ended before calling or emailing your concerns. It takes time to clean up after a storm; please give us 24-hours after the snow has ended to do this work. Your patience is appreciated.
Do not park vehicles on the street during a snowfall. Also, please do not leave vehicles over the sidewalk while in your driveway as this can prevent the sidewalk plow from completing its work.
Do not shovel, plow or blow snow from residential or commercial properties onto the road or across the road. This poses a hazard to motorists and is prohibited by the Ontario Highway Traffic Act and City bylaw.
Snow plows need room to clear the snow. Please stay back 20 meters as sand and salt may be dropping from the trucks. This also gives you room to stop safely.
Give snow plows plenty of space at intersections. The snow plow may need two or more lanes to turn or to get through the intersection. If a snow plow is waiting to turn left at an intersection, do not pull up and stop underneath or in front of the wing plow (the plow attached to the right side of the truck). Your vehicle could be struck by the plow when the truck pulls forward.

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RELATED LINKS:

—*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor’s Media and Digital Communications Specialist

Mayor’s Mailbag – December 2021 Roundup – Vaccine Booster Eligibility, Clearing After Major Snowfalls

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