By Cecilia Nasmith

Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini announces that, as of Jan. 7, more than 70,000 Ontario residents have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

By Jan. 21, he added, “we will have vaccinated all health-care workers, essential caregivers and residents who want a vaccination in our priority regions of Toronto, Peel, York and Windsor-Essex.”

Phase One

The province is well into phase one, beginning with 90,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on Dec. 21, followed by nearly 53,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine received from the Federal government Dec. 30.

Vaccines are currently allocated to health-care workers and essential caregivers who work in hospitals, long-term-care homes, retirement homes and other congregate settings that care for seniors. Vaccinations are also allotted for adults in First Nations, Metis and Inuit populations, as well as adult recipients of chronic home health care.

“Keeping these front-line healthcare workers healthy and safe from COVID-19 is the best way to ensure that medical treatment for our fellow Ontarians can continue with no shortage in staffing,” Piccini's announcement said.

As well, vaccinating Indigenous peoples ensures addresses the challenges they face with limited remote health-care capacity.

By the end of phase one, the province plans to have administered two-million doses of the vaccination at 21 hospital sites across the province.

Phase Two

This phase will begin as more of the high-priority demographics in Phase One are inoculated and vaccine supplies increase – expected to begin later this winter.

Phase Two is about making sure that those most at risk of catching the virus or experiencing the worst effects from it are protected. The press release listed all health-care workers, long-term-care homes, retirement homes, home-care patients with chronic conditions and additional First Nation communities and urban Indigenous populations, including Métis and Inuit adults.

During this phase, the province plans to expand vaccination efforts to a greater number of sites to make the process more accessible to communities across the province.

Phase Three

At this point, the vaccine will be available to all Ontarians who wish to get it. It will be widely available, as the province expands the number of eligible vaccination sites across Ontario.

Retired General Rick Hillier (who heads the province's vaccine task force) has compared the Phase Three vaccinations to the way flu vaccines are distributed annually.

“While we are all eager for life after COVID, we need to continue to show patience and compassion as our health-care system vaccinates those among us who are at the most serious risk from the virus,” the announcement said.

“For this reason, Phase Three will not begin until there are sufficient doses of the vaccine available for the general public, and those members of at-risk demographics targeted for vaccination in the first two phases have been serviced.

“The Federal government has stated that it believes full vaccination for the general population will be accomplished by September.”

The Government of Canada has signed purchase agreements with multiple companies to ensure enough sufficient doses for all Canadians as soon as possible. The distribution process is a joint effort with the provinces.

Like all the other provinces and territories, Ontario receives a portion of the total number of vaccine doses according to a ratio based on its population compared to the national population.

“Our approach is based on the expert recommendations of the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force and in line with the guidance from the national advisory committee on immunization,” Piccini's announcement said.

“We are administering them as we receive them in accordance with our immunization timeline.”

Ontario currently has the capacity and ability to administer more vaccinations that have been received. With a shipment expected next week, the province will be vaccinating more than 20,000 Ontarians daily, with the hope of continuing to ramp up the rate if supplies permit.

“I understand with the daily focus on the vaccine, you rightly want to know when you will receive yours,” Piccini's statement said.

“I want to assure you, nobody will be left behind.

“Ontarians understand that the supply in Canada remains very limited to date. With the need to deliver two doses for most effective uptake, this will take time.”

Regrettably, he added, more specific information on timing is not available at this early stage of distribution. But Ontarians can keep up to date with the latest information by visiting Ontario.ca/covidvaccine

“While I understand many of us are experiencing COVID fatigue, I ask that you please continue to follow public health guidance,” Piccini added.