From: Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education
Subject: Prioritization of Education and Child Care Workers - Phase Two: COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution Plan
Thank you for your continued efforts in keeping schools and child care settings open and safe.
As you are aware, the province continues to expand capacity and ramp up efforts under the phased roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. I am pleased to share the government’s announcement that the province is moving forward with Phase Two of this plan which includes education and child care workers. Phase Two, which focuses on vaccinating populations based on age and risk is expected to begin in April and be completed by the end of July.
As you know, prioritizing education and child care workers is something I have advocated for some time. Vaccine prioritization for education and child care will commence with education and child care sector workers who work directly with children in both schools and licensed child care settings. Education workers as a group includes bus drivers who transport students. It is estimated that over 300,000 education and child care workers in schools and licensed child care settings would be eligible for early vaccination under Phase Two.
Local public health units are responsible for distribution of vaccines and will provide further information on how education and child care workers can access vaccines in their communities. Ontario is working with all public health units to plan and implement mass immunization clinics across the province.
We recognize that education and child care workers have been on the front-line of this pandemic and have worked to keep our children, students and families safe and supported over a difficult time. The government recognizes the importance of vaccinations for education and child care workers to support continued health, safety and well being for staff, children and families across the province. By vaccinating education and child care workers, we are providing greater protection for the school and child care community.
Specific guidance will be forthcoming to provide additional details of workers captured in Phase Two prioritization.
Stephen Lecce
Minister
c:
Executive Director, Association des conseils scolaires des écoles publiques de l'Ontario (ACÉPO)
Executive Director, Association franco-ontarienne des conseils scolaires catholiques (AFOCSC)
Executive Director, Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association (OCSTA)
Executive Director, Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA)
Executive Director, Council of Ontario Directors of Education (CODE)
Executive Director and Secretary-Treasurer, Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO)
General Secretary, Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA)
General Secretary, Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO)
General Secretary, Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF)
Co-ordinator, Canadian Union of Public Employees – Ontario (CUPE-ON)
