Niagara’s mayors, in partnership with Regional Chair Jim Bradley, have announced the planned locations for the upcoming community COVID-19 mass vaccination clinics.

Included on the list released Thursday, March 4 is Brock University, which is working with the Region and Public Health on plans to host a clinic for St. Catharines and Thorold in the Ian Beddis Gymnasium of its Walker Sports Complex. With accessible entrances and exits, and plenty of parking, which will be available at no charge to community members, the Beddis Gym will provide a bright, spacious and safe location for the clinic.

An opening date for the clinics hasn’t been announced and the Region is reminding residents they’ll need to wait for the provincial booking system to go live before being able to make appointments.

“Brock University is committed to supporting the health and vitality of the Niagara region and we are pleased to be playing a role in helping residents of St. Catharines and Thorold get the COVID-19 vaccination,” said Brock President Gervan Fearon. “We look forward to working with Niagara Region Public Health to plan for this clinic and we will provide the full range of support we can to facilitate the effective operation of the site in support of the health and well-being of St. Catharines and Thorold. Brock University is pleased to be a strong partner in support of the vitality of the region.”

Niagara Region says the schedule for vaccines will be based on Ontario’s three-phased vaccine distribution plan. Public Health will be notifying residents when it is their turn to book an appointment through all local and social media channels.

Once supply is made available, the first group to get vaccinated will be those who are 80 years of age and older, as well as Indigenous adults. Niagara Region Public Health will then follow the provincial prioritization criteria, moving through progressively younger age brackets until all persons 60 years of age or older have had the opportunity to get vaccinated.

At that point, essential workers throughout the region, as well as other high-risk residents will be eligible for a vaccine. The provincial government hopes to open vaccination up to all Ontario residents by early fall.

“On behalf of Niagara’s mayors, I am pleased to share this list of immunization clinics with the public,” said Regional Chair Jim Bradley. “As Niagara moves into another crucial phase of this pandemic, we want residents to know that we are ready to safely deliver as many vaccines as possible once supply is made available. The mayors and I wish to thank Niagara’s residents for their ongoing patience as they wait their turn to receive a vaccine.”

Niagara will be using the provincial booking system for appointments, which is expected to be available by mid-March.

Residents can learn more about Niagara’s immunization plans at niagararegion.ca/covid-vaccine