Scarborough hospital forced to cancel 10,000 appointments from lack of COVID-19 vaccine supply

© Provided by Global News epa08908580 Michael Contreras, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) firefighter paramedic, prepares a Moderna COVID-19 vaccination to be given to LAFD personnel at Station 4 in Los Angeles, California, USA, 28 December 2020. Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti and Ralph M. Terrazas, Fire Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department, were there to observe the rollout of the vaccination program. EPA/Gary Coronado / POOL

Scarborough Health Network (SHN) says two of its mass vaccination clinics are closed due to lack of COVID-19 vaccine supply, forcing the cancellation of about 10,000 appointments.

The closure is effective from Wednesday, April 14, through to Monday, April 19, and affects the clinics at Centennial College and Centenary hospital.

The hospital network said the closure will impact about 2,000 vaccine appointments a day for each day they are closed.

Read more: Ontario releases more details on COVID vaccinations for adults 18+ in hot spot neighbourhoods

“Scarborough continues to struggle with the incomprehensible disparity in vaccine distribution for Canada’s most diverse community and one of Ontario’s most severe hot spots,” said Maureen Adamson, chair of SHN’s board.

“Scarborough is the backbone of Toronto,” Adamson continued. “Our people are the essential workers that keep Ontario running. Our hospitals are seeing the highest rate of COVID-19 admissions throughout this pandemic and the positivity rate in Scarborough has reached 24 per cent which only underpins the need for a serious ramp-up in vaccinations.”

Adamson said so far Scarborough Health Network has vaccinated more than 90,000 people. Vaccinations are expected to restart once supply is available.