Ontario’s Liberal leader is calling on Premier Doug Ford to add the booster shot to the proof of COVID-19 vaccination certificate.
Steven Del Duca thinks Ontario residents should only be considered fully vaccinated after three doses of the vaccine, not two.
He’s also calling on Ford to add the LCBO and retail cannabis shops to the list of businesses that require proof of vaccination to enter.
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Some medical experts have repeatedly said the only way out of the pandemic is through vaccination.
“We need to make sure that every tool available to us is being used and used appropriately to make sure we don’t go backwards,” said Del Duca.
So far, just over six million of those eligible for the third shot have gotten it, but Del Duca believes the province could do more to boost vaccination rates.
“You’ll see that number start to rise if we strengthen the mechanisms and if people understand that they need to get these things done. That they need that booster shot in order to be able to enter, yes, restaurants, but also additional places like the LCBO and cannabis stores,” he explained.
While Del Duca highlighted those two industries specifically, he admitted he’s open to adding others.
“I’m open to a discussion about whether we want to go further with that,” he said.
As of Monday night, 11.6-million Ontario residents over the age of five have had two doses of the vaccine. So far, there has been no announcement when the Ontario government will allow those under 18 to get a booster shot.