Ontario’s vaccine rollout was of interest to the commissioners who are examining the province’s response to the crisis in long-term care during the pandemic.
Last night the transcript of Health Minister Christine Elliott’s testimony was released. Experts say according to that testimony, the government did not prioritize long-term care residents after receiving the first shipment of vaccines.
Vivian Stamatopoulos is an associate professor at Ontario Tech University and a seniors’ rights advocate.
Reading through the questions from the commission and answers from minister Elliott she says it’s clear critical decisions from vaccines to PPE supplies were not made.
Minister Elliott admits that the personal protective equipment stockpile was not restocked and that would have been her responsibility.
The commission has heard that much of Ontario’s supply of PPE was destroyed by December 2019 because it had expired.
They also learned that the health table advised the province not to do widespread asymptomatic testing within long-term care but Minister Elliott said the premier wanted to do it anyway.