Left to right: Darrin Spence, IFNA Emergency Operations; Connor Howie, IFNA Health Services Manager; Roy Fiddler, Community Pandemic Lead; Chief Gordon Beardy; Councillor Doug Beardy/Photo Supplied
Residents of Muskrat Dam First Nation have received their vaccine against COVID-19.
Chief Gordon Beardy, Community Councilors and other Leaders were some of the first in line to receive their first dose on February 1.
According to Chief Beardy 86% of eligible community members, over the age of 18, were vaccinated.
“Like everyone, Muskrat Dam wants to see an end to this pandemic. We did our part, and this week hopefully marks the beginning of seeing that come to fruition.”
168 doses have been administered over the past three days by a team from ORNGE.
Community Pandemic Lead, Roy Fiddler says residents were surveyed about the community’s opinion towards the vaccine and an education and promotion program was put in place to help give members the best possible information about the vaccine.
“Like anywhere,” added Chief Beardy “some of our members did not want the vaccine, others experienced vaccine hesitancy due to disinformation, religious beliefs or simply a lack of access to accredited sources of information.”
ORNGE provides air ambulance and associated ground transportation services for the province of Ontario.
Other organizations such as the Independent First Nation Alliance (IFNA), Sioux Lookout First Nation Health Authority (SLFNHA), Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) and the Canadian Rangers were also involved in a variety of support roles.
Muskrat Dam First Nation is about 584 km north of Thunder Bay.
