COVID-19 vaccine may be required for "freedom to move around": Dr. Williams

Ontario’s top doctor has said that people who refuse a COVID-19 vaccine may not be allowed in certain places without proper protection.

Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, said that while vaccines can’t be forced on people, those who choose to not get immunized against the coronavirus may be subject to certain restrictions.

“What we can do is to say sometimes for access, or ease, in getting into certain settings, if you don’t have vaccination then you’re not allowed into that setting without other protection materials,” Williams told a press conference.

The doctor said that proof of immunization may be mandatory in order to have the “freedom to move around” or gain access to certain settings, such as long term care facilities and hospitals, without wearing PPE.

Canada has deals with seven vaccine manufactures, including Pfizer and Moderna, for 194 million doses of potential COVID-19 vaccines – potentially the most doses per capita worldwide.

Earlier this week, Ontario unveiled the members of its vaccine distribution task force. Chaired by the former Chief of Defence Staff for the Canadian Forces, the task force will focus on the delivery and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines once they are available.

“Our vaccine products have proven, historically, to be the best thing we have,” Williams said. “We’ve seen that time and time again.”