Ford announces 5.1 million doses of flu shot as part of COVID-19 fall plan
Posted September 22, 2020 1:42 pm.
Last Updated September 22, 2020 5:05 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Ford government says it will implement the largest flu immunization campaign in Ontario’s history.
Premier Doug Ford says the latest campaign is part of the province’s comprehensive plan to prepare the health system for a second wave of COVID-19.
Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, made the announcement, with Ford urging every Canadian to go out and get a flu shot once it’s ready.
“We know a second wave is coming,” Ford said on Tuesday.
“We’ve been working through the summer to put in place a robust and comprehensive plan to tackle a potential, more challenging second wave of COVID-19.”
“It’s important that we prepare for any scenario in order to protect all of our citizens, especially our seniors and most vulnerable. Our government is doing everything it can to defeat this deadly virus, including delivering an unprecedented flu shot campaign to maintain capacity in our hospitals.”
Ford said the plan is complex, which is why the government has decided to release it in stages.
“This is a massive, massive plan, very jammed with items,” Ford said. “If we laid it all down at once, the message isn’t going to get out to the people.”
The province said some of the yet-to-be-disclosed elements of the plan will focus on expanded testing, case and contact management, as well as quick identification, management and prevention of COVID-19 outbreaks.
As for when the first doses will be handed out, Elliott said an early shipment of the flu vaccine could arrive next week.
“We want everybody able to receive the vaccine to go and do that,” Elliott said.
She says the government is pushing for a saliva test, as well, but have yet to receive confirmation on whether or not it will be established.
Ontario reported 478 new COVID-19 infections today.
