Windsor Mayor Calls On Province To Vaccinate Front-line Essential Workers

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Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens speaks to the media in this file photo from early March 2021

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens is calling on the province to expand COVID-19 vaccination to front-line essential workers.

In a statement released Tuesday, the mayor says the “time has come” for the vaccination framework to “specifically target all front-line essential workers first.”

Dilkens says the current framework was established more than a month ago when case counts across the province were low. But with the rise of variants and increased case counts among younger adults, he says it’s time for public health officials to update the guidelines to vaccinate those who are most at risk.

“We need to prioritize those most vulnerable, based on employment and lifestyle characteristics as opposed to just age brackets,” Dilkens said.  In his statement he listed professions such as teachers, grocery store and pharmacy staff workers, factory workers, migrant workers, and others, as examples of those who should be prioritized for vaccination.

“Locally, Dr. Ahmed and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit cannot move forward in isolation, as they are required to adhere to the Provincial guidelines for vaccinations,” Dilkens said. “It’s time for Dr. David Williams, as Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer to provide updated guidance and direct all public health units to prioritize those who are literally risking their lives when they show up for work.”

The province lists “essential frontline workers who cannot work from home” as part of Phase 2 of their vaccine rollout plan which is set to start this month. However the province has not yet announced an exact date when vaccinations will begin for essential workers.