Paul Junor
The announcement that the PC-led government of Doug Ford would be introducing a province-wide vaccination was not surprising.
Premier Ford had previously voiced opposition to such a program but it appears that he was under a lot of pressure to follow suit. Last week, Prime Minister Justin Tudeau announced that the federal government would be implementing a Canada -wide proof of vaccination in the fall of 2021 that Canadians can use for international travel.
Dr. Susy Hota, who serves as medical director of infection prevention and control at the University Health Network, states ”It can be a temporary thing as we will take time to emerge out of this pandemic, so this may not be a new reality forever but while we’re still in a position that things have not been controlled worldwide and this pandemic is still active, I think it makes a lot of sense.”
She notes, “Even if you’re following what the government’s saying is allowable at this stage of the pandemic, you still want to protect yourself and think critically through what you’re doing. It helps you with that decision.” She believes that it will encourage unvaccinated people to be motivated to get their COVID-10 vaccine. She states, “Here is a very direct and tangible thing that is going to affect your ability to live the life that you want to live through the rest of the pandemic and I do think some people will come forward quicker.”
Dr. Sumon Chakrabartil, Ontario infectious diseases specialist states, “This is not to protect vaccinated people from unvaccinated people.” She clarifies that “It’s actually to try to protect unvaccinated people from each other because they’re the highest risk of transmission and the highest risk of needing hospitalization, and that could be something that temporarily helps. I do think though that when the community transmission drops, and we’re no longer at risk of a lot of
[hospitalization] admissions and hospital pressure, we won’t need the COVID passport.”
It was truly not surprising when Premier Ford made the announcement at a press conference that the Ontario government will go ahead with the implementation of a vaccination certification program. The Ontario government released a press release titled, “Province to Require Proof of Vaccination in Select Settings,” which can be seen at https://news. Ontario.ca/ca/en/release/10000779. It will come into effect by September 22, 2021.
Premier Ford states in the press release, ”Based on the latest evidence and best advice, COVID-19 vaccine certificate gives us the best chance to slow the spread of this virus, and will help us to avoid further lockdowns”
The press release states, “Ontarians will need to be fully (two doses plus 14 days) and provide their proof of vaccination along with photo ID to access certain public settings and facilities.” Proof of vaccination will be required in higher-risk indoor public settings: restaurants and bars, nightclubs and casinos, meeting and event spaces, gyms, fitness, and recreational facilities. It does not apply to outdoor settings, like patios and churches.
In the first phase of the program, vaccinated individuals will have to show vaccine receipts after each dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as well as a government-issued photo ID. If receipts are lacking, individuals with a green OHIP card can download them at COVID-19 vaccine booking support website: covid-19.ontario.ca or call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at: 10833-943-3900 to order a copy. There will be an enhanced vaccine certification and verification app with a QR code that will be available by October 22, 2021.
