The province will help seniors and people with disabilities get their COVID-19 vaccinations where transportation is a barrier, Ontario’s finance minister announced Tuesday afternoon.
In a pre-budget announcement, Peter Bethlenfalvy, minister of finance and president of Treasury Board, said the province will invest $3.7 million as part of the 2021 budget toward this initiative, removing barriers to ensure that anyone who wants a vaccine is able to get a vaccine.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected people with disabilities and seniors with mobility issues,” said Bethlenfalvy. “Often, they are without independent means of transportation and rely on accessible public transport, and travelling long distance by taxi or ride-sharing is not an option.
“We will quite literally drive you to your vaccine appointment, because a lack of transportation should never get in the way of something so important.”
Bethlenfalvy said the province is working with local communities, health units and transportation providers to implement this service, and more details will be provided in the next few days.
“It is critically important to ensure that our most vulnerable get the protection of a COVID-19 vaccine and that's why we are doing everything we can to remove any and all barriers,” said Premier Doug Ford. “In our 2021 Budget we are providing funding to help people get to the vaccines, or to bring the vaccines to them. The health and safety of our seniors and people with disabilities is a top priority.”
"Many people with disabilities want to get a COVID-19 vaccine, but they need support in getting to vaccination sites," said Raymond Cho, minister for Seniors and Accessibility. "We are taking this important step by providing funding to help them access safe and accessible transportation to get to their vaccination appointments - or by bringing the vaccines to them."
