Ford set to announce rollout of COVID-19 vaccine this afternoon

Premier Doug Ford is set to announce the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine on Friday afternoon with top officials.

Ford will be joined by Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones and General Rick Hillier (retired), Chair of the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force.

On Thursday the premier announced that Ontario is ready to give the first COVID-19 vaccines by next week.

Ford said in a statement that,” Ontario is ready to receive COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are available.”

Following Health Canada’s approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, Ford said they expect “a very small number” of doses to arrive in the coming days.

Beginning Tuesday, December 15, these first doses will be administered at University Health Network in Toronto and The Ottawa Hospital to health care workers who are providing care in long-term care homes and other high-risk settings.

The press briefing will take place at 3 pm from Queen’s Park.