Donna Duncan, CEO of the Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA), released the following statement after today’s announcement by the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health related to COVID-19 vaccines across the health care system:

“Ontario’s long-term care homes welcome today’s announcement by the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health that long-term care residents will now be eligible for a third booster shot of the vaccine.

This follows advocacy by OLTCA for expedited guidance, as well as supply and administration plans, to maintain protection from this deadly virus amidst a fourth wave fueled by the Delta variant. Long-term care residents were among the earliest in Ontario to receive their shots.

OLTCA has asked the Ontario Government to fully mandate COVID-19 vaccines for all direct care providers. Clear policy across the health care system will ensure the existing health human resources crisis will not be further exacerbated with staff moving to other organizations from organizations that choose to mandate vaccines, or losing them as they get sick from the virus as happened through earlier waves. Ontario Government action on more stringent vaccine requirements will provide peace-of-mind to residents, patients, staff and their families across the province.”

source: media release