Horwath calls for immediately plan to roll out AstraZeneca vaccine to people under 65

QUEEN’S PARK — AstraZeneca vaccine doses will land in Ontario in a matter of days, and Official Opposition NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is calling for an immediate plan to get it into the arms of those most at risk.

“Ontario needs a plan to prioritize, contact and book appointments for the people most at risk under the age of 65 to get AstraZeneca shots, and we need it now,” said Andrea Horwath. “These AstraZeneca doses are arriving in a matter of days — this system should have been ready to go long before today.”

Horwath said she continues to hear frustration over Ontario’s vaccine rollout.

“The Ford government’s vaccine roll out has been slow and sloppy so far. People are waiting anxiously with no idea when their turn will come, or when a loved one who is at risk will finally get the life-saving shot. Some leftover doses went to administrators and office workers while vulnerable seniors waited. Local public health units are doing the best they can, and taking the lead where the Ford government is dropping the ball, but we should have had a provincial system up and running already.”