VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR SECOND COVID-19 BOOSTER

AT RISK POPULATIONS CONTINUE TO BE LEFT BEHIND BY PROVINCIAL VACCINATION PLAN, ADVOCATES SAY

Ontario's Ministry of Health isn't saying why vulnerable individuals are not prioritized for a fourth COVID-19 vaccination dose, or when that additional protection will be extended to those groups.

Loreen Kelly, director of Dundas Learning Centre, and Dundas resident Martha Fox, whose son Matthew is a learning centre client, said people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are at greater risk, but are continuously left behind in the vaccine rollout.

Kelly said on May 4 her concerns about the fourth vaccine shots are the same they've been since vaccines were first available.

"People with developmental (and) intellectual disabilities who are considered by many health professionals as being more vulnerable to adverse outcomes of COVID, have been largely overlooked," Kelly said. "It is very upsetting."

Dundas Learning Centre maintains strong public health measures, including masking and screenings "to try to keep everyone as safe as possible."

Fox raised concerns about delayed vaccine eligibility for vulnerable residents in April 2021. "Here we go again," she said earlier this month. "It seems this government, through the Ministry of Health, doesn't even know that there is a significant population of vulnerable Ontarians who are at high risk for getting COVID and becoming seriously ill and requiring hospitalization."

Fox said this vulnerable group includes people with developmental disabilities and conditions such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and epilepsy and participate in congregate day programs - such as Dundas Learning Centre.

"This is an important consideration that gets overlooked in any 'catchment' of eligibility," Fox said. She said the federal and provincial governments both acknowledge people with Down syndrome are at risk of more severe COVID-19 outcomes - but they are not eligible for a fourth shot.

"Healthy 60-year-olds are now eligible for the booster," Fox said. "They are no more high risk ... in fact, are likely less so. Individuals

with Down syndrome, developmental disabilities (and) medical conditions may be chronologically under 60, but many of them are seniors in terms of their general health, longevity and risk of serious health outcomes."

She noted there's no information available from the Ministry of Health on what groups vaccine eligibility will be extended to next. "Ontario has been offering fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine since December 30, 2021," Fox said. "In the rhetoric, the Ministry has encouraged all Ontarians to get their fourth dose as soon as possible to help prevent serious outcomes during the Omicron wave. I have not read nor heard anything about a shortage of doses, so why not open up the guidelines to allow vulnerable folks to get 'boosted'?"

Research cited in a "Disability and Health" article indicates Ontario COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality rates are higher for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities than other adults.

"These findings should inform vaccination strategies that often prioritize older adults in the general population resulting in people with IDD, who are often in younger age groups, being overlooked," the study's findings state.

City of Hamilton public health spokesperson James Berry said on May 6, the city takes vaccination direction from the province of Ontario.

A ministry of health spokesperson confirmed fourth doses are available to those 60 years of age and over, residents of longterm care and retirement homes, and First Nation, Inuit or Métis individuals over 18 years of age, but apparently suggested the issue of vulnerable individuals is too political for the ministry to address during the provincial election campaign.

"Given the government is in caretaker mode for the duration of the provincial election, this media request cannot be accommodated at this time," said ministry spokesperson Bill Campbell.

Ministry communications team lead Anna Miller said ministry spokespersons may respond to media calls that are factual or relate to regular ministry business with responses that are neutral and non-partisan.