In Ontario, substantial stocks of Covid-19 vaccines continue to arrive. A total supply of five million doses of vaccine will arrive from the federal government this month. This week 558,090 doses of Pfizer will arrive, in the week of July 19 also 1,208,610 doses of Pfizer will come and finally from July 26, 1,428,570 doses of Pfizer will be delivered.

So far Ontario has administered more than 16 million doses of vaccine, and more than 51% of adults in the province are fully immunized. In addition, more than 78% of adults received at least one dose. With the vaccine race increasingly strong in recent weeks, the province has exceeded its vaccination target of entering Step 3 on July 16, five days earlier than expected on the schedule.

Everyone in the province can book to anticipate a second dose provided they have received the first of an mRNA vaccine at least four weeks before booking the second, or AstraZeneca at least eight weeks before booking.

More and more people – although there are always a percentage of people who are reluctant to get the vaccine administered – want to be immunized. As of last Saturday, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Hangar and Cloverdale Mall – as well as the Toronto Congress Centre – are offering the chance to receive the vaccine without an appointment. Walk-in vaccinations are available for anyone over the age of 18 at the four mass vaccination sites every day from noon to 7 pm. People can enter to receive the first or second dose even if they do not have a health card: the important thing is to have an ID with them.

The decision to offer walk-in appointment together with those by reservation originates from the copious supplies of vaccines. Vaccines seem to be the way out of the pandemic at the moment. So far, about 78% of Toronto residents over the age of 18 have received a first dose of vaccine, while about 56% have received a second vaccination.

Due to a delay in deliveries, last week the available doses of Pfizer were reserved for children in the 12 to 18 age group while those who received Pfizer as the first dose were given Moderna.

The only exception seems to have been the clinic organized on July 8 and 9 at Fairbank Public School located at 2335 Dufferin St.: here, in addition to a limited supply of the Moderna vaccine, the Pfizer vaccine was available for the first and second doses. The pop-up vaccination clinic was organized by Sinai Health, Oakwood Village, the Toronto District School Board, Toronto City Councillor Josh Matlow.

The moment that the whole world is experiencing, the difficulties that every community is going through on a daily basis in the fight against Covid, however, are through with the interference of local politicians such as Matlow who, took advantage of the opportunity “promote himself”.

A huge billboard with his name left no doubt. Leaning on a small table in the pop-up clinic was, for example, a bag containing informative material about the councillor while masks, disinfectant wipes and other items stood on a nearby coffee table. The sign nearby left no room for misunderstandings: “offered by Councillor Josh Matlow.”

The talk, however, is serious, vaccinating seems to be the way to see again the light at the end of the tunnel after a year and a half: politicians, at any level, would perhaps do well not to want to show off at all costs.

In the pics: the entrance to Fairbank Public School (note Matlow’s name well in sight and the bag offered by the Toronto councillor who did not miss the opportunity to promote himself)