Ontario could receive first batch of COVID-19 vaccine doses ‘next week’: Ford

Premier Doug Ford said Monday that Ontario could receive its first, small batch of COVID-19 vaccine doses as early as next week.

“Our first shipments of a very small number of doses could arrive as early as next week,” Ford said during an update Monday. “But we are still very far from having the millions of doses we need.”

“Ontario is ready to receive and distribute the first batch of vaccines when they arrive on our doorstep,” he stressed.

Earlier Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said upon pending approval from federal regulators, Canada would receive initial doses from Pfizer next week and up to 249,000 doses by the end of the year.

In Ontario, the rollout of vaccines will be prioritized in regions with the highest rates of COVID-19 infection, including those in the Red-Control and Lockdown zones.

Residents, staff, essential caregivers and employees at long-term care and retirement homes, as well as health care workers and adults in Indigenous communities will be the first to receive the shot.

General Rick Hillier, chair of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution task force, said the vaccine rollout would come in three phases.

Phase one would address the most vulnerable members of the population. Phase two would be a voluntary wave of vaccinations among citizens, and phase three would see a rollout similar to the flu vaccine, with widespread availability in places like pharmacies.

Ford said while the vaccine can’t be mandated, he strongly suggests Ontarians roll up their sleeves and get a shot to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and get the economy back on track.

“I don’t believe in forcing people to take this, but I do encourage everyone possible out there to get a vaccination shot. It’s gonna protect all of us, and our economy,” he said.