October 21st, 2020

Doug Ford must provide flu vaccines now to meet surging demand in Ontario

One man told he’ll have to wait mid-November for high-dose vaccine he needs

QUEEN’S PARK – Doug Ford has failed to provide enough flu vaccines so far to meet the surge in demand during this pandemic, and he must take action now so Ontarians do not have to wait for vaccines to keep them safe, NDP MPP Ian Arthur (Kingston and the Islands) said during question period Wednesday.

“People in every part of the province are being turned away because pharmacies don’t have enough vaccines to meet their needs,” said Arthur. “How did the government go so wrong and fail to be adequately prepared to provide the vaccines that Doug Ford himself asked Ontarians to get, and then force pharmacies to turn them away because of lack of supply?”

Arthur told the legislature that a Kingston resident, Bruce Bursey, is in need of a high-dose vaccine but has been unable to get one.

“Bruce has been told by pharmacies that he will likely not be able to get one until well into November,” said Arthur. “And it's not just him and it’s not just in Kingston. Flu season is here in Ontario. But the vaccines we need to slow it, are not.

“Doug Ford needs to acknowledge that he’s already let Ontarians down and he must now ensure his government acquires the flu vaccines that Ontarians like Bruce need now.”