Maple Leafs: North American Vaccination Record Set at Scotiabank Arena

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors teamed up with a number of organizations on Sunday to set a new North American vaccination record.

The home of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors was loaned out to public health officials to accomplish an incredible goal. In what has been described by some in attendance as having a Maple Leafs playoff game feel, Scotiabank Arena was transformed into a giant vaccination clinic/party. Thousands of people hopped the boards to get their shots.

Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), the parent company of the Leafs, did their part to ensure that the atmosphere was a fun one for all their visitors.

They should be commended for doing their part in serving the community, helping encourage people stay safe and get vaccinated.

NA Record Set

The original goal for the popup clinic was to get 25,000 people inoculated. That would surpass the Canadian record set in May at Thorncliffe Park clinic where they vaccinated 10,470 people in one place in a single day. By 2:30 pm, Toronto had broken that record. Later in the day, they took the North American record when they administered more than the 17,003 doses that the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas had given back in April. In fact, Scotiabank Arena will be known as the place that smashed that record. Running from 7 am to 9 pm, the clinic finished after administering 26,771 Covid-19 vaccine doses.

So how did the Toronto Maple Leafs make things fun for all involved? They did something that always works to bring smiles to faces, they gave stuff away. They gifted 25 pairs of tickets, as did the Raptors, sending 50 random, lucky people home very happy. The organization also gave away t-shirts. Volunteers and health officials were treated to string backpacks adorned with the Leafs logo and they also fed everyone who worked the event.

The Toronto Maple Leafs sent Carlton the Bear to wander around the arena to greet patients. He was seen wearing a medical shield just like his basketball counterpart, the Raptor. With a DJ spinning throughout the day and each patient walking out with a minimum of a fresh dose of Moderna (Pfizer for those under 18 years old) and an event-specific rally towel, there is no doubt that MLSE threw a party that will be remembered for a long time.

As much as MLSE should be lauded for their efforts, it’s important to remember that they didn’t do this alone. There were approximately 800 volunteers, 135 pharmacy staff members, 116 registration staff and of course 400 vaccinators, made up of both doctors and nurses. The City of Toronto and multiple hospitals were also involved in making this great day happen.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Raptors have shown Toronto how important it is to get vaccinated. On Sunday they demonstrated their leadership in this valuable cause. While neither team is currently active, it’s fantastic to have had MLSE still doing what they can to support their fans.