"To be clear, vaccines are not sitting in freezers," Alexandra Hilkene, a spokesperson for the minister of health, said in a statement to CBC News on Sunday. That statement came as Arya, along with other health-care professionals, said on Sunday that over 985,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines are currently sitting in Ontario freezers. Phase 2, which includes prioritizing essential workers, is set to begin in the coming weeks. As with the entirety of the vaccination campaign, however, it's all contingent on adequate supply.Īccording to a statement issued Sunday by the health ministry, every single vaccine dose received has been allocated to a waiting Ontarian who has booked an appointment.
The statement went on to note that essential workers will be vaccinated in Phase 2 of the province's vaccination rollout. The ministry said this approach is designed to save lives, protect those at risk of serious illness and to stop the virus from spreading. Ontario's #COVID19 vaccine rollout:Eligible: 55 yr old executive, works from home in KingstonIneligible: 30 yr old, works in factory with 300 people, takes the bus, lives with extended family in PeelWith 985,732 doses in freezers, this is NEITHER speed NOR precision.- a statement to CBC News on Monday, Ontario's health ministry did not directly respond to the criticism concerning the lack of protection for essential workers, but said: "In alignment with, Ontario's vaccine distribution plan is focused on vaccinating populations based on age and risk." Amit Arya, a palliative care physician at McMaster University and the University of Toronto, called out the government in a tweet for failing to make essential workers eligible for the vaccine while other people - part of an older cohort potentially facing less day-to-day risk - are prioritized. "That's another challenge to tackle," he said on Rosemary Barton Live on Sunday, calling on the government to do more for these workers who are at greatest risk.Ĭalls to bring vaccinations into factories and other essential workplaces have ramped up over the past few days as Ontario went into a provincewide shutdown, shuttering indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants and personal care services, but leaving essential businesses open. The other 50 per cent of COVID-19 cases, he said, are tied to essential workers and their families. Now, he says that 50 per cent of all cases linked to the virus would be preventable if people just "did the right thing," such as only going out when necessary and interacting only with those in a single household.
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