TORONTO — People aged 50 and older across Ontario are among a number of new groups who can book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment starting today.

The province announced Wednesday the 50-and-older age group, in addition to those with high-risk health conditions, and a number of employees who cannot work from home are now eligible to get the shot.

The newly eligible workers include those in the education, child-care, food and manufacturing sectors.

People aged 18 and up can book vaccine appointments if they live in hot-spot postal codes as of this week.

Last week, soon after the announcement thousands of Ontarians booked their vaccines whitin hours of expanded eligibility.

Peel Region says it will be offering vaccines to all residents aged 18 and older – not just those in hot-spot neighbourhoods – starting today, weeks ahead of the province's schedule.

Ontario says it expects 65 per cent of adults to have their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of May.