For more information about Ontario’s COVID Vaccination Plan and current eligibility, please visit the government of Ontario website.

Yes. Individuals without a photo OHIP card may bring another form of a photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, a piece of registered mail, pay stub, student card, government issued identification from other jurisdictions including: foreign passports, other provincial or territorial health cards, or driver’s license. Expired government issued identity documents will also be accepted for this purpose.

Should a person have no identity documentation or photo documentation they may work with their public health unit and/or community organizations to verify their identity. This may be provided in the form of a letter from a community organization or other identity verification form.

Yes. However, we recommend receiving both vaccines once you arrive in the other province.

We understand that you are eager to be vaccinated. With four vaccines approved in Canada, vaccine supply is expected to increase significantly, allowing Ontario to expand vaccination to other groups. Most people will have to be patient for a while longer—every adult will have a turn soon. Please pay attention to the local news, updates from the City of Toronto and Ontario Government, and check the websites and social media accounts of North York General and the North York Toronto Health Partners for updates on the local vaccination program.

Options for Booking COVID-19 Vaccines

If you are 55+, you will have the opportunity to register to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine within the next week at one of our NYGH-NYTHP’s clinics.

Appointments are limited, so please pre-register now to secure a slot. Click here for to pre-registration for the AstraZeneca Vaccine

Other options include:

• City of Toronto Mass Immunization Clinics
• Toronto hospital and Ontario Health Team clinics - vaccineto.ca  
• Ontario clinics and participating pharmacies covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/

If you are a senior in the North York area and require assistance getting to your vaccination appointment, contact the Seniors’ Hotline for North York at 416-447- 5200.

Eligible individuals can also book your vaccine appointment at either a City of Toronto mass vaccination clinic or pharmacy. Visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ to book an appointment at a City of Toronto mass vaccination clinic.

You can call the Toronto COVID-19 Vaccination Call Centre at 1-888-385-1910 to cancel, or use the confirmation email you received. Bear in mind that all appointments are pre-booked and there may be limited availability.

We strongly encourage you to keep your existing appointment. However, if rescheduling is absolutely necessary, please contact the Toronto COVID-19 Vaccination Call Centre.

Please note, in Ontario second dose appointments have a 16-week interval. 

On the day of your vaccination, please bring with you:

• Your health card
• Proof of occupation (for eligible health care workers only)
• Adult recipients of chronic homecare: please bring your eligibility letter sent from the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) with the enclosed consent form and one piece of government ID.

Also, please wear a short-sleeved shirt.

Yes, you must wear a mask.

For appointments during the week of April 12:

Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment, and no earlier.                                                                                 

When you arrive, you'll be asked a series of screening questions, and to show your health card, and another government-issued piece of photo ID.

After you have passed the screening process, you will be asked to check in and consent to the vaccination. You will then receive your vaccination and wait 15 minutes following vaccination as per guidelines.                                                                         

After the 15-minute wait, you can check out. Before you leave, you will be given an information sheet with appointment details for your second dose.              

If you require assistance you may bring a family member or caregiver with you. Please remember they will not be vaccinated with you. Only eligible people with appointments will receive the vaccination.

Yes, the clinics are accessible for seniors and others with a range of needs. The Toronto COVID-19 Vaccination Website and Call Centre is providing support in French and additional languages over time.

It is essential that you be on time. We do not want to waste any doses if people miss their time slots.

If you need assistance please speak with your family doctor or primary care provider, or a local community agency that provides transportation support. The North York Seniors Support Line at (416) 447-5200 can also assist you with transportation to appointments and other supports to help you receive a vaccination.

Yes.

Most people in Ontario will get their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine 16 weeks after the first dose. This allows more people to access the first dose sooner. Research now recommends that some people get their second dose sooner because of the high risk of severe COVID-19 and the way the vaccine builds immunity in some people. In Ontario, the following patients will now receive their second dose 21- to 28 days after the first dose:

• Transplant recipients
• Individuals receiving active cancer treatment (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy.  Note - “Active cancer treatment” excludes those solely receiving hormonal therapy or radiation therapy)

To get the best protection against COVID-19, it is important you receive the second dose at the appropriate time, even if you experience mild side effects after the first dose.                                                                                 

If you miss your second dose, schedule another appointment as soon as possible

After receiving your first dose, you will receive an automatic notification by email or text with the date and time of your second dose, which will be 16 weeks from the time of your first dose.

You will receive an email or text to confirm details about your second dose booking. Those who prefer a phone call will be contacted by phone.

Yes.

Depending on vaccine supply, we are either administering Pfizer or Moderna. However, with more vaccines being approved by Health Canada, this list may change.  

Yes. COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and have been rigorously evaluated. Vaccination, together with continued vigilance including wearing masks and physical distancing with those outside of your home, is our best hope to prevent people from getting ill, hospitalized, and potentially dying from COVID-19.

Read more about the approved vaccines approved by Health Canada.

Most people don’t experience any side effects at all. As with any vaccine, some people (less than 10%) will experience mild to moderate symptoms such as pain from the injection, fatigue and headache. These are expected and should resolve in a few days. In very rare cases, allergic reactions can occur, but these are usually temporary and can be treated. 

No. The vaccine is free of charge.

Pregnant women can receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Please speak with your family physician or specialist before getting vaccinated.

Yes, to help reduce of the spread COVID-19, North York General Hospital is offering testing by appointment only.

Please read more about the testing criteria before booking your appointment. 

555 Finch Ave.W  (North Entrance)
Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

*North York General is offering testing by appointment only. Please only book an appointment for a COVID-19 test if you meet one of the required criteria. 

Book your test online or call 416-635-2509 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon to book your appointment over the phone.

In order to protect patients and frontline health care providers during the current COVID-19 pandemic only patients who have a confirmed appointment are allowed inside the hospital. We understand how upsetting this may be, but it is necessary to keep your loved ones safe.

If you require special assistance, please contact your physician’s office and request to have one support person accompany you. This request will only be granted for patients who require assistance. You and your support person will need to show photo identification (i.e. driver’s license). 

All patients who have a confirmed in-person appointment at the hospital will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to their appointment. You may be contacted ahead of your appointment to answer screening questions over the phone. 

When you arrive at the hospital you will be screened at the South entrance. Our screeners will ask if you have any symptoms or if you have travelled or been in contact with someone who has travelled. If you are feeling unwell, please call your healthcare provider ahead of your visit to discuss next steps. 

Yes, you must bring your health card to every appointment.

As part of our COVID-19 measures, there is one designated entrance into the hospital (unless going to the emergency department or Assessment Centre). These changes help protect our patients and health care providers.

Please use the South entrance as the designated entry and drop-off point.

To exit the hospital or pick someone up, please use the West lobby doors only. 

North York General is providing masks to everyone entering the hospital. Please note if you are wearing gloves, we will kindly ask you to remove them, as we want to ensure no outside germs are coming into the hospital. 

While inside the hospital please follow the safety measures in place to protect you: 

• Masks can help prevent the spread of respiratory illness, including COVID-19. Keep a mask on at all times when inside the hospital.

• Follow physical distancing of 2 meters (6 feet), this includes seating in waiting areas, elevators and line-ups.

Yes, it is safe to receive care at North York General. We are taking all necessary precautions to protect patients. Staff, physicians and learners are wearing Personal Protective Equipment and patients can be cared for in special isolation rooms if necessary. 

Yes, to help reduce of the spread COVID-19, North York General Hospital is offering testing by appointment only.

Please read more about the testing criteria before booking your appointment. 

Branson Assessment Centre 
555 Finch Ave.W  (North Entrance)
Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

*North York General is offering testing by appointment only. Please only book an appointment for a COVID-19 test if you meet one of the required criteria. 

Book your test online or call 416-635-2509 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon to book your appointment over the phone.

In order to protect patients and frontline health care providers during the current COVID-19 pandemic only patients who have a confirmed appointment are allowed inside the hospital. We understand how upsetting this may be, but it is necessary to keep your loved ones safe.

If you require special assistance, please contact your physician’s office and request to have one support person accompany you. This request will only be granted for patients who require assistance. You and your support person will need to show photo identification (i.e. driver’s license). 

All patients who have a confirmed in-person appointment at the hospital will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to their appointment. You may be contacted ahead of your appointment to answer screening questions over the phone. 

When you arrive at the hospital you will be screened at the South entrance. Our screeners will ask if you have any symptoms or if you have travelled or been in contact with someone who has travelled. If you are feeling unwell, please call your healthcare provider ahead of your visit to discuss next steps. 

Yes, you must bring your health card to every appointment.

The Charlotte & Lewis Steinberg Emergency Department (ED) is open and continues to provide care for urgent needs. All patients will be screened for COVID-19 when they arrive, and will be isolated if needed. We do our best to provide high quality care whether your symptoms are related to COVID-19 or any other medical emergency.

To protect the health of patients and health care providers from the spread of COVID-19, the government of Ontario directed all hospitals to postpone all non-urgent outpatient clinical appointments, if safe to do so, and rescheduled. 

See our list of clinic changes.

Where possible we are offering telephone and virtual care. If you have questions, please contact the clinic directly. Learn more about virtual care visits.

Please note, all emergency and urgent services remain open.

Click here for information for patients undergoing surgery.

Yes, it is safe to deliver your baby at NYGH.

One dedicated visitor/support person, per patient is in effect in Labour and Delivery and on the Mother and Baby Unit (2W). The one dedicated visitor/support person must remain the same throughout the family’s stay in hospital. The identified designated visitor/support person will be asked additional screening questions for COVID-19 related symptoms. This is to ensure that any additional visitors/support persons within our care environments are not unwell. Please visit the Maternal Newborn and Paediatric Care webpage for more information on visitor guidelines for the unit.

The Maternal, Newborn and Paediatric Care Program has compiled a list of resources for parents and families to support their children during this pandemic. Visit the COVID-19 Resources page for more information. 

We understand the importance and integral role families, loved ones and caregivers have in providing physical, social and emotional support to patients. North York General’s visitor policy has changed in response to COVID-19. Visitors/support persons may visit if they meet the visitor criteria or have been approved by the clinic/department. Please visit the Visitor Access Guidelines page for more information.

Virtual Family Visits are being offered to patients/ residents and their loved ones as a Patient- and Family-Centred Care initiative during COVID-19. We are using virtual visits to reduce the number of people in the hospital. During a virtual visit you do not come to the hospital to meet in person. Instead, you speak with your care team using a telephone, smartphone or your computer. At the General site, Virtual Family Visits are approximately 20 minutes long and can be booked in advance online. We are using Microsoft Teams and FaceTime to connect virtually. For other NYGH sites, please connect directly with the unit.

NYGH will provide you with information regarding your medications, instructions for post-surgery/appointment and follow-up care. You can also connect with your primary care physician if you have any questions. 

For prescriptions, we have a retail pharmacy where you can fill your prescription.

Yes, the Outpatient Pharmacy is open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Before coming into the hospital, please call our pharmacy at 416-756-6752 to discuss the details regarding your request with our staff.  Please note that access to the hospital is now limited and you will be screened before entering. If you have fever, chills, shakes, a new/worsening cough, shortness of breath and/or have traveled in the past 14 days please call our staff before visiting.

To reduce exposure to and transmission of a range of illnesses, including coronaviruses, you should follow usual health precautions during your stay at the hospital and when you return home:

• Masks can help prevent the spread of respiratory illness, including COVID-19. Keep a mask on at all times when inside the hospital.

• Follow physical distancing of 2 meters (6 feet), this includes seating in waiting areas, elevators and line-ups.

Signage and tape have been placed in seating areas across the hospital to remind patients of physical distancing. As services begin to ramp up we have introduced additional seating with social distancing in our lobby spaces.

Starbucks (located in South lobby) and Tim Horton’s (first floor) remain open. Please pick up your food and remain six feet apart if eating in common areas.  

We do not accept food deliveries from home or outside restaurants to in-patient floors.