The provincial government is moving into Phase Two of its vaccination distribution plan.
Premier Doug Ford says that this means more vaccines for people in "hot spot" communities and individuals with high-risk health conditions.
"As soon as vaccines arrive our focus is turning to the communities hit hardest by COVID-19 and those with the highest-risk health conditions. With the extraordinary work of Team Ontario we aim to deliver over 9 million vaccinations across Ontario by the end of June."
Ontarians with certain health conditions are now eligible for shots under Phase Two, with doses being provided to the highest-risk individuals first.
Highest-risk (442,000 people):
- Organ transplant recipients
- Hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
- People with neurological diseases in which respiratory function may be compromised (e.g., motor neuron disease, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis)
- Haematological malignancy diagnosed less than 1 year ago
- Kidney disease eGFR< 30
High-risk (292,000 people):
- Obesity (BMI > 40)
- Other treatments causing immunosuppression (e.g., chemotherapy, immunity-weakening medications)
- Intellectual or developmental disabilities (e.g., Down Syndrome)
At-risk (2.2 million people):
- Immune deficiencies / autoimmune disorders
- Stroke / cerebrovascular disease
- Dementia
- Diabetes
- Liver disease
- All other cancers
- Respiratory diseases
- Spleen problems
- Heart disease
- Hypertension with end organ damage
- Diagnosis of mental disorder
- Substance use disorders
- Thalassemia
- Pregnancy
- Immunocompromising health conditions
- Other disabilities requiring direct support care in the community
Patients in the highest-risk clinical groups will be contacted by their health care providers to set up an appointment for a vaccination.
Additionally, 13 public health units, including Niagara, will receive additional doses.
The province is also prioritizing workers who cannot work from home.
These workers have been separated into two groups.
Within each group, all workers listed will be eligible to receive doses at the same time.
First group of workers unable to work remotely (730,000 people):
- Elementary / secondary school staff and bus drivers that transport students
- Workers responding to critical events (e.g., police, fire, compliance, funeral, special constables)
- Child care workers
- Licensed foster care workers
- Food manufacturing workers
- Agriculture and farm workers
Remaining workers unable to work remotely (1.4 million people):
- High-risk and critical retail workers (grocery and pharmacies)
- Remaining manufacturing workers
- Social workers (including youth justice)
- Courts and justice system workers (including probation and parole)
- Lower-risk retail workers (wholesalers, general goods)
- Transportation, warehousing and distribution
- Energy, telecom (data and voice), water and wastewater management
- Financial services
- Waste management
- Mining, oil and gas workers
The province is expecting over nine million doses between April and the end of June, and these groups are expected to receive vaccinations between April and July.
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