Waterloo Region – Some Telus subscribers who pre-registered for the COVID-19 vaccine and chose text notification may not have received their notification due to Telus blocking the messages. On Friday, April 9, the Region of Waterloo was notified that Telus had been blocking some of their subscribers who had pre-registered for the COVID-19 vaccine through the Region’s online booking system due to the perceived volume of texts being sent. Once notified of the problem, the block was immediately removed by Telus.

The Region of Waterloo is not able to determine which Telus users did not receive their notification as the booking system indicated all messages were successfully sent. Any Telus users who pre-registered for the vaccine and haven’t received notification to book an appointment are asked to pre-register again. Notifications to book are sent based on priority, not based on pre-registration date. Residents can expect an invitation to book an appointment within four weeks.

“We regret the anxiety and any delay this has caused residents of Waterloo Region in getting an appointment for the vaccine,” said Shirley Hilton, Deputy Chief for Waterloo Region Police Service and head of the Waterloo Region Vaccine Distribution Task Force. “Members of the public can be assured that appointments will be available when they receive notification to book an appointment. You have not missed your opportunity to get the vaccine.”

To pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine: https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/covid-19-vaccination-pre-registration.aspx#.

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Media Contact:

Sharon Ord

Acting Vaccine Communications Lead

sord@regionofwaterloo.ca

General Inquiries: publichealth@regionofwaterloo.ca or 519-575-4400