Speaking from a Humber River Hospital mass vaccination clinic in an arena, Premier Doug Ford said the only thing preventing most Ontario residents from getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the lack of a stable supply.
Ford was joined at the presser by Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, and General Rick Hillier (retired), to provide an update on the province's COVID-19 vaccination plan.
The premier Ontario's rollout continues to be hampered by the availability of vaccines.
"There is still no reliable supply," he said. "We simply don't have enough vaccines or a guarantee when we will get them."
This week, Moderna's shipment was cut in two, which further delayed the rollout and meant some vaccination sites had to pause operations.
"Every day delayed is a day we miss out on getting more needles in arms," Ford said, adding the supply issues have meant some pharmacies have had to stop offering vaccinations because they don't have any left.
Even with the supply issues, Ontario has administered more than two million doses. Ford provided some statistics on where those vaccines went: nearly 80 per cent of people over age 80 have had at least their first dose; nearly 45 per cent of people ages 75 and 79 have had at least one dose, and; nearly 15 per cent of residents over 60 have had at least their first dose.
Today also marked the last day that Gen. Rick Hillier (ret.) will serve as head of Ontario's vaccine rollout task force. Ford highlighted his work during the presser.
When it comes to the upcoming Easter weekend, the premier urged residents not to make big plans to get together with family and friends, as much as people might want to do that.
