Dear Community,
Starting today, everyone 18 and older in Ontario is eligible for a fourth covid vaccine, provided that it has been 5 months or more since your last covid shot. You can book a shot through the government’s online portal here https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900. You can also reach out directly to a pharmacy offering vaccinations, and find one near you here https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations .
The official opposition has been calling for the expansion of a fourth round of vaccinations for some time, so we’re glad to see the government finally act on this. This will save lives, but more action is needed.
We saw very poor uptake of the last round of boosters, and this could be improved by making these vaccines more easily available by family doctors and home care. I join the interim leader of the opposition, Peter Tabuns, in calling on the Ontario government to implement this as soon as possible. https://www.ontariondp.ca/news/fourth-doses-should-be-available-family-doctors-home-care-tabuns
I encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible, whether for the fourth, third or first time. The vaccines remain the most effective tool we have to fight this pandemic. While they have not ended it, they have saved many lives and we need to keep doing our part, even if more can and should be done.
I should also note that while they are not yet available in Ontario, COVID vaccines for children under the age of 5 have just been approved for use in Canada. https://twitter.com/GovCanHealth/status/1547612179037179910 I hope to be able to give you more information on this soon.
In local news, I want to call everyone’s attention to an upcoming event at Oakwood Village Library (341 Oakwood Ave). On Tuesday July 19th from 6 to 8 PM filmmaker David Dacosta will be presenting two documentaries about women and Jamaica. “Port Maria: Herstory” is about the long history of a small colonial town in Jamaica. While “Miss Jamaica” examines the complicated and unique cultural and media environment experienced by Jamaican women. More information about this event can be found here https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT456994&R=EVT456994
I am thrilled to announce that I have been named the opposition Critic for Women's Social & Economic Opportunity, Culture & Heritage! This continues parts of my role in the last legislature, while adding some new areas. Pay equity and a society free of gender-based violence are key to a just recovery as is an Ontario where artists, cultural workers, museums, galleries and local arts can thrive! I will continue to fight for these things in my role as critic. Congratulations as well to all my NDP colleagues on their own critic portfolios https://www.ontariondp.ca/news/interim-official-opposition-leader-peter-tabuns-names-ndp-deputy-leaders-critics .
Thanks to everyone who's sent in a pet picture, but please keep them coming!
In Solidarity,
Jill Andrew
Toronto—St. Paul's
