Thread by @NathanStall

On the advice of the CMOH, yesterday the Ford government lifted Ontario’s proof of #COVID19 vaccination requirements effective March 1st.

While some have simply dismissed this as capitulation to the "Freedom Convoy," it's actually much more complex.

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thestar.com/politics/provi…

In evaluating their decision, we must 1st consider whether a 2-dose vaccine certificate remains justified by a compelling purpose.

In July 2021 when Delta was dominant, our @COVIDSciOntario brief outlined key considerations for vaccine certificates.

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covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/c…

At the time, we found proof of vaccination requirements were effective in:

1. Increasing vaccine uptake

2. Reducing transmission in higher-risk settings (e.g. bars & restaurants)

3. Protecting our health care system by excluding the unvaccinated from higher-risk settings

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There's now growing scientific doubt in the benefit of keeping a 2-dose vaccine requirement.

Doing so is unlikely to substantially further increase 2-dose uptake, and with Omicron, it’s far less likely to reduce transmission in higher-risk settings.

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cbc.ca/news/health/ca…

Given these changes, experts advised #Ontario should either expand or end proof of vaccination requirements.

Expanding them would mean requiring 3 vaccine doses, something we know is our best protection against the #Omicron variant.

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medrxiv.org/content/10.110…

Adding a 3rd dose was something the @OntLiberal party and I supported.

The scientific rationale changed on February 4th when #NACI recommended that those infected with #COVID19 wait at least 3 months before getting their 3rd dose.

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cbc.ca/news/health/na…

During the Omicron surge, testing was restricted.

Symptomatic Ontarians were told by Public Health they should consider themselves infected, and isolate at home without needing to get tested.

This largely renders any 3-dose requirements infeasible.

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thestar.com/news/canada/20…

The @COVIDSciOntario estimates that as many as 4-million Ontarians have been infected with #Omicron since December 1, 2021: covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/u…

There is no public health benefit in excluding them from areas where proof of vaccination is required for the next 3 months.

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.@StevenDelDuca and the @OntLiberal party have always said we would follow the advice of medical and scientific experts.

We are accepting Dr. Moore and Dr. Jüni’s guidance on the lifting of proof of vaccination requirements announced yesterday.

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cbc.ca/news/canada/to…

Finally, proof of vaccine requirements was just 1 public health tool.

We must reinvest in public health and vaccination efforts to ensure that future waves are managed with less restrictive measures and without overburdening our health care system.

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thestar.com/opinion/contri…