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5 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,M ay 27,2021 insidehalton.com Paid for by the Government of Ontario Your turn is coming soon. Ontario's COVID-19 vaccine plan is helping to stop the spread and save lives. Thousands of people across the province are getting vaccinated everyday. As vaccinations continue, we need to stay the course to protect those we love.Wear a mask.Wash your hands. Keep your distance. Find out when, where and how to get vaccinated at ontario.ca/covidvaccineplan or call 1-888-999-6488 for assistance in more than 300 languages. For a Free consultation call oakville: 905.842.2022 ToronTo: 416.644.3999 Denied Disabled Benefits? I canhelp. My teamof experienced lawyers can help youwith: •Disability Claims Short-TermDisability, long-TermDisability, CPP •Car accidents •Slip and Falls •Wrongful Dismissal Injured? I don't get paid unless I getYoumoneY. oFFiCeS in oakville and ToronTo eMail: sspadafora@slspc.ca Disability and EmploymEnt law Halton Public Health has added some new func- tions to its COVID-19 vac- cine booking system. Local residents can now book or reschedule their second dose appointments online, provided they re- ceived their first dose in Ontario, with most people still having to wait four months between first and second doses. Appointments can now also be cancelled virtually, instead of calling Access Halton at 311. Cancella- tions will then quickly be- come available in the book- ing system for residents to claim as last-minute or same-day appointments. "This is an incredible function, which I think will go a long way in supporting increased vaccine rates in Halton," said Halton Medi- cal Officer of Health Dr. Hamidah Meghani during the most recent regional council meeting. She noted the new book- ing system features will give residents the ability to manage their appoint- ments better, and likely re- sult in reduced call vol- umes for Access Halton go- ing forward. In other vaccine news, the region's top doctor also told councillors that dose intervals are being short- ened for some groups, meaning they don't have to wait four months for their second vaccine and can start booking appoint- ments on May 21. Per directions from the Ontario government, these groups include: high-prior- ity health-care workers, designated essential care- givers of those living in se- niors' congregate settings and all Indigenous people (and a household mem- ber). "According to the prov- ince, these groups face a greater risk of contracting and suffering serious ill- ness from COVID-19," said Meghani. For further details visit halton.ca/COVIDvaccines. REGION MAKES CHANGES TO VACCINE BOOKING SYSTEM MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@ metroland.com NEWS Residents can cancel vaccine appointments online starting May 21, and book or reschedule second dose appointments. Pexels photo