Northern Ontario First Nations leaders are rolling up their sleeves first to battle COVID 19 vaccine hesitancy
February 5, 2021
Sol Mamakwa, NDP MPP for Kiiwetinoong (left) receives his COVID-19 vaccine. (Photo supplied: Ontario NDP)
First Nations in Northern Ontario are enlisting trusted leaders to be among the first to get the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine as its being delivered to remote communities, some of which are experiencing low participation because of vaccine hesitancy.
Ontario NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa said he was invited by the leadership from Muskrat Dam to attend their first vaccination clinic earlier this week after low sign-up numbers.
Mr. Mamakwa, who represents the Kiiwetinoong riding, told The Globe and Mail that he was reluctant at first, worried about the optics after the outrage over a B.C. couple who chartered a plane to a remote community in the Yukon to get vaccinated.
Dryden, ON, Canada / CKDR
Feb 5, 2021 1:43 PM
Left to right: Darrin Spence, IFNA Emergency Operations; Connor Howie, IFNA Health Services Manager; Roy Fiddler, Community Pandemic Lead; Chief Gordon Beardy; Councillor Doug Beardy/Photo Supplied
Residents of Muskrat Dam First Nation have received their vaccine against COVID-19.
Chief Gordon Beardy, Community Councilors and other Leaders were some of the first in line to receive their first dose on February 1.
According to Chief Beardy 86% of eligible community members, over the age of 18, were vaccinated.
“Like everyone, Muskrat Dam wants to see an end to this pandemic. We did our part, and this week hopefully marks the beginning of seeing that come to fruition.”
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More than half of all long-term care residents in the region have gotten their first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the Northwestern Health Unit’s top doctor says.
The NWHU’s medical officer of health, Dr. Kit Young Hoon, said on Tuesday that 68 per cent of long-term care residents have their first dose and the more than 300 vaccines that arrived last week have been administered.
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The province has set a deadline to give all long-term care residents their first dose by Feb. 10, which Young Hoon said the health unit will meet.
That’s according to Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon.
Young Hoon says 100 per-cent of doses received have gone long term care homes across the region.
“This is over 300 shots and currently 68 per-cent of long-term care home residents have now received the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccine.”
The health unit received that shipment last week, with vaccinations continuing over the next week to ensure remaining residents receive their first shots.
Young Hoon adds they only have vaccines for LTC residents and residents and staff of Elder Care homes on First Nation communities right now, explaining vaccines come as they are needed but also as they’re available to the province.
Fort Frances, ON, Canada / 93.1 The Border
Feb 3, 2021 7:14 AM
Delsie Cumming was among the first residents at Rainycrest Long Term care to receive the first dose of Moderna vaccine, Jan. 27, 2021. Photo courtesy Riverside Health Care Facilities.
The Northwestern Health Unit is on track to vaccinate all long-term care residents against COVID-19 by February 10.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon says 100 per cent of doses received have gone to long-term care homes across the region.
“This is over 300 shots, and currently, 68 per cent of long-term care home residents have now received the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccine,” says Dr. Young Hoon.