
March 29, 2021
Honourable Doug Ford
Premier of Ontario
Honourable Christine Elliott
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
Dear Premier and Deputy Premier:
Re: Vaccine Availability in Durham Region
Thank you for your public service through one of the most challenging crises to face our country and communities in a century.
I write today with concern regarding the equitable distribution of vaccines to Durham Region. I appreciate that you have the difficult task of ensuring that vaccines are distributed across the province and to the hardest impacted areas and this can be tough to balance. However, as you know Durham Region has been hovering between the Red and Grey zones since the stay-at-home order was lifted. As the Member of Parliament for Whitby, I have heard from constituents and community leaders with concerns about the local vaccine supply.
With Canada and Ontario receiving increased deliveries every week, it is critical that we get as many vaccines into the arms of residents as possible as quickly as possible. I know Durham Public Health is ready and able to receive increased vaccine shipments.
I am writing to request immediate action in three areas:
- Ensure Durham Region is receiving an equitable share of the vaccines available to the Province
- Immediately include Durham Region in the pharmacy pilot program
- Work with Durham Region Public Health to lower the age of eligibility for those who can receive a vaccine
These measures will allow more members of our communities to be vaccinated during a time when over 30% of new cases are a variant of concern. I am hearing from people daily who are ready to receive their vaccine.
Thank you for your time and consideration of these requests.
Yours Sincerely,
Ryan Turnbull
Member of Parliament for Whitby
cc:
His Worship Mayor Don Mitchell, Town of Whitby
John Henry, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Durham
Dr. Robert Kyle, Medical Officer of Health, Durham Region
Chris Leahy, Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor, Town of Whitby
Rhonda Mulcahy, Regional Councillor, Town of Whitby
Elizabeth Roy, Regional Councillor, Town of Whitby
Steve Yamada, Regional Councillor, Town of Whitby
Durham Region MPs
Durham Region MPPs