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OTTAWA — Ottawa Centre MPP Joel Harden is calling on Ontario to include people with disabilities in Phase 2 of Ontario’s vaccine rollout.
Dr. Melanie Bechard, a CHEO physician and master's student in public health with Johns Hopkins University, has produced a new research report on behalf of Harden’s office, where she works as a practicum student. Her report, "Prioritizing People with Disabilities for COVID-19 Vaccination in Ontario" shows a greater risk of COVID infection, complications and death among people with disabilities, and calls for prioritizing people with disabilities for COVID-19 vaccinations.
Dr. Bechard’s report makes four recommendations, which clinical experts have endorsed:
- Disability must be recognized as a factor that significantly increases a person’s risk of COVID-19 infection, complications, and death. Disability should be taken into account when decisions about COVID-19 vaccine prioritization are being made.
- People with disabilities should be explicitly mentioned within Phase 2 of the vaccination rollout to ensure consistent practices across the province.
- COVID-19 vaccination must be accessible to people of all abilities. People with disabilities should not face barriers in scheduling or receiving vaccination.
- The Ontario Ministry of Health should collect data on the number of COVID-19 infections, complications, and deaths among people with disabilities in the province.
Quotes:
“Stronger action is needed to ensure that regional decision-making regarding the vaccination rollout remains consistent throughout the Province in understanding the significant heightened risk facing persons with disabilities, addressing barriers and inaccessibility immediately, and ensuring that all persons with disabilities at risk have access to vaccines.” - Robert Lattanzio, Executive Director, ARCH Disability Law Centre
"Dr. Bechard's report confirms what I have seen in my own practice: people with physical and intellectual disabilities have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring accessibility of the COVID-19 vaccine for this population is an urgent public health issue." - Dr. Danielle Bourque, MSc, MD, FRCPC, FCCMG, Clinical & Biochemical Geneticist, CHEO, University of Ottawa
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