Correspondence to the WDG Medical Officer of Health Re: Vaccine Prioritization Follow Up

Apr 23rd, 2021
By mdunne

On April 23, 2021, The Dufferin County Diversity Equity and Inclusion Community Advisory Committee send the following correspondence to Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health for  Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health:  

Dear Dr. Mercer,

This is a follow up to the letter submitted by the Dufferin County Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Community Advisory Committee, dated March 15, 2021 requesting immediate action to ensure that racialized residents of Wellington Dufferin Guelph have equitable access to vaccines. Data collected by Statistics Canada indicates that there is discrepancy in regard to the impact of COVID-19 on racialized groups, and that it is imperative for us as a community to recognize the urgency in prioritizing vaccines for this demographic. 

We understand that vaccine prioritization and the supply of vaccines is controlled by the provincial government and we very much appreciate the work you and the Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health team have done to roll out vaccines in our community. We were also pleased to learn that you reached out to representatives of the Dufferin County Canadian Black Association (DCCBA) to speak to them about the important issue of ensuring vaccines get to racialized populations who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID 19.

We would very much appreciate a response to our original correspondence as we play a complimentary but separate role from the DCCBA. We would like to understand better how Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health will take action to ensure that racialized residents in Wellington Dufferin Guelph that are designated as a priority group, have equitable access to vaccines, and that culturally appropriate communications are to be developed to support these residents and other marginalized residents in obtaining vaccines.

We look forward to your response in this very time sensitive matter. 

Sincerely,

 

Dufferin County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Community Advisory Committee