Thread by @CityCynthia

NEW: Retired General Rick Hillier begins vaccine update, says vaccinating 16-18K a day, hopes to have all long term care residents finished with second dose next week.

In phase two, which begins 1st week of March, pharmacies will begin distributing vaccines.

Retired General Hillier says vaccination plan is inclusive of hospitals, family doctors and pharmacies. (remember each public health unit is doing a their own plan unique to own region)

NEW: vaccination plan in Ontario
80 yrs plus will start getting vaccinated in 3rd wk of march - that's about 600K people
April - 75 plus
May - 70 plus
June - 65 plus
On March 15 online system will go live and can find out when can get an appointment

Hillier cautions this plan is dependent on vaccine supply - that's the Federal domain

Note, Ontario is behind Quebec for example, it's online booking system is going live this week. Hillier says it's not necessary to be online yet bc vaccination long term care residents (2nd dose) and frontline health workers.

Now Hillier acknowledges he would have liked to have the online booking system up earlier. Adds it is being tested

Hillier assures there will be more communication to come - ie where vaccination centres will be, asks people not to try and sign up online until it is their turn

Family doctors will deliver vaccines - but not in their offices. They are being asked to reach out to their patients and become part of mass vaccination clinics where patients will go.

Hillier adds when there are more vaccines available then doctors may be able to vaccinate in their offices.

This could be very difficult for many elderly residents - please tell me they won't have to wait in line at mass vaccination sites.