Premier Doug Ford isn’t throwing cold water on plans to increase COVID-19 vaccinations in hard hit communities in northern Ontario.
Municipalities and lobby groups have been calling for increased efforts to assist regional hot spot areas.
Ford says everything is on the table.
“I hate to use these analogies but ‘Where the fire is. That’s where we have to put the hoses on.’ Right? If there’s outbreaks in certain areas I think it’s important that we reallocate all resources to areas that we see outbreaks.”
Ford adds, “We really want to ramp it up to any region that we see a real big outbreak there. Not just that. We also have to do a lot of testing as well in those areas.”
Meantime, the great response to Operation Remote Immunity may result to changes in vaccination programs in northwestern Ontario.
The program to immunize those living in remote and First Nations communities was successfully carried out thanks to the efforts of Ornge air ambulance service.
During a media briefing Monday, Premier Doug Ford was asked if the province would expand the program to help some of the smaller and rural communities.
“I think that’s a pretty good idea. It all depends on the amount of people that are up there and get up there and try to vaccinate as many people as possible.”
Ford adds, “What I can assure the people of the far north. We aren’t going to forget about you. We are going to make sure we have vaccines for you as soon as possible. But I really like that idea. So we’ll have to map it out. I’m sure they’ve already mapped it out to be very frank with you.”
The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is among those concerned with the current rates.
NOMA says our communities are vulnerable, and businesses are suffering and more vaccines and additional financial assistance will go a long way to help protect Northwestern Ontario from the impacts of COVID-19.
