BARRIE, ONT. -- The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has opened a standby list for same-day appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Those who qualify as eligible can add their name to a standby list on the health unit website.

Anyone who receives a standby call must get to the appointment location within 45 minutes of getting that call.

The standby list is a new way for the health unit to use up any remaining vaccine doses at the end of each clinic day.

The health unit's website has a list of the criteria necessary to qualify for the vaccine.

People are still encouraged to book appointments, and if they get called for a standby shot, clinic staff will help cancel their appointment.

The standby list is newly created each day and is currently limited to first doses.

As of Thurs. May 6, the list of people who can book a COVID-19 vaccination expands to include anyone turning 50 and over in 2021.