While Premier Doug Ford insisted Monday receiving a Covid vaccine will be optional and he doesn’t believe in forcing people to take it, comments today from Ontario’s Minister of Health suggest those who decide against shots may have their freedom limited.
In a press conference Tuesday, Minister of Health Christine Elliott acknowledged this will not be a mandatory vaccine campaign, but said “there may be some restrictions that may be placed on people that don’t have vaccines” for travel purposes, or to be able to go to theatres or other places.
“That will be up to the individual person to decide whether they want to receive the vaccine to be able to do these things or not,” Elliott said. “But, it is voluntary.”
Elliott was also asked if the government envisions giving out some sort of authorized proof of vaccination, such as a card or form, that will allow people to show as proof they’ve been inoculated.
The Minister of Health’s response: “Yes, because that’s going to be really important for people to have for travel purposes, perhaps for work purposes, for going to theatres or cinemas or any other places where people will be in closer physical contact when we get through the worst of the pandemic.”
Canada is expected to receive its first doses of a vaccine from Pfizer by the end of December, although Health Canada has yet to approve it for use.
The Ontario government has unveiled a three-phase distribution plan, first focusing on health care workers, long-term care residents and staff, essential caregivers, employees of congregate living settings and Indigenous communities before vaccines become widely available to every Ontarian who wants it.
