OPTICAL PRISM | NEWS
ECPs Want to be part of Canada ' s vaccine campaign
BY DAVID GOLDBERG
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pledged
that every Canadian who wants the COVID-19 vaccine will receive one by September and Ontario optometrists say they ’ re willing to step up to assist with the rollout of the provincial government ’ s vaccine implementation plan .
" We know that the Ontario government is looking to increase the public ' s access to the COVID-19 vaccine ," says Dr . Sheldon Salaba , president of the Ontario Association of Optometrists ( OAO ). " Optometrists can help with this by providing vaccinations in-office or in vaccination centres ."
Provinces like Quebec have enlisted the help of eye care professionals , chiropractors and even veterinarians to help administer the vaccines .
However , in Ontario , optometrists do not have the authority to administer injections . The Optometry Act would have to be amended . Doing so would bring quick and easy access to the vaccine to a large portion of the population , including the province ' s most vulnerable patients , the association says .
" Optometrists are the most accessible eye health and vision care professionals , and are available at the local level across the province ," added Dr . Salaba . " We can make a difference to help keep Ontarians safe ."
When reached for comment , a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health said that the Ontario government was not planning to enlist the help of optometrists at this time .
“ Additional health care providers who are able to administer the vaccine include nurse practitioners , registered nurses and registered practical nurses , along with pharmacists , pharmacy students , interns and pharmacy technicians ,” the ministry said in a statement to Optical Prism . “ Should it be determined that additional capacity is needed we will expand the list , if necessary .”
Premier Doug Ford has said that he expects millions of Ontarians to be vaccinated by August this year .
At the time this article was first published , approximately 50,000 Ontarians had received the vaccine so far . OP
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