The Province has created a task force to ensure a smooth roll-out when a COVID-19 vaccine is ready for distribution.
Today, Premier Doug Ford said early 2021 is when he’s been told the first doses will be available.
General Rick Hillier, who previously served as Chief of Defense Staff of the Canadian Armed Forces will chair the task force.
“This is going to be the largest logistical undertaking in a generation,” said Ford. “And we need an expert in logistics. We need a General in charge of this massive undertaking.”
A phased vaccination program that will prioritize at-risk populations first will be followed by mass immunization.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force members will include cross-government and external representation with diverse expertise in operations and logistics, federal-provincial relations, health and clinical domains, public health and immunization, ethics, and information technology and data. The task force will provide advice and recommendations on the timely and efficient execution of Ontario’s COVID-19 immunization program. It will ensure the province can immunize people as quickly and safely as possible, as the various vaccines in development become available.
The task force will advise on:
- Delivery, storage and distribution of the vaccines;
- Support for health care system partners to deliver a phased vaccination program that initially prioritizes vulnerable populations and follows with mass immunization;
- Clinical guidance on vaccine administration and surveillance of vaccine uptake;
- Data, reporting, and technology to provide timely, relevant and accurate information to clinicians conducting vaccine administration, decision-makers, and the public; and
- Implementation of a broad and sustained public education and community outreach effort to encourage vaccination.
Other members of the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force will be announced in the coming days.
“We are on the verge of a critical new phase in our efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, and General Hillier’s track record of leadership and compassion makes him the right person to lead our task force,” said Minister Elliott. “In the meantime, it’s important to keep in mind that a vaccine is still months away, so I’m urging everyone to continue following public health advice in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 and keep our communities safe.”
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Today, I announced the creation of the Ministers’ COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force.
The task force will advise our development and implementation of an immunization program, including the ethical, timely & effective distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in Ontario. pic.twitter.com/81F9uv3muY
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) November 23, 2020
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