Ontario health minister dismisses concerns over vaccine portal that prevents multiple bookings
Ontario's Health Minister is facing criticism after suggesting parents who have difficultly booking multiple children for a COVID-19 vaccine should "simply" call a provincial vaccine hotline to resolve their issue.
Several parents of children five to 11 took to social media, on Tuesday, to highlight an issue with the provincial booking website which prevented them from registering several children for a vaccine appointment at the same time forcing families to choose separate dates and locations for the same household.
NDP MPP Catherine Fife highlighted the concerns at Queen's Park and accused the Ford government of "messing up" vaccine distribution in the province.
"I don’t know if it’s news to this government, but there are many families with more than one child," Fife said during Question Period "Why did the government not get this plan right again when they designed the vaccine portal at the very start of this process?"
Health Minister Christine Elliott immediately dismissed it as not being a "serious concern" and said parents with multiple children now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine should call the provincial booking hotline, instead of scheduling an appointment online.
"This is a problem that can be easily remedied by calling the line that one has always been able to call and making appointments for all two, three children, however many children you have," Elliott said.
"It’s not necessary to book them online for separate days. This could be done with a simple phone call."
READ MORE: What you need to know about booking a COVID-19 vaccine for your child in Ontario
Fife said the Minister's response was "flippant" and "disrespectful" to parents, some of whom, the NDP says, were forced to book appointments in separate regions for their children.
"The health minister basically admitted to designing a flawed program and if parents got frustrated, then they should just pick up the phone," Fife said.
A spokesperson for Elliott didn't provide clarity when asked by CTV News Toronto about the status of the issue but re-iterated the Minister's comments that parents could also go to a public health unit, pharmacy for multiple bookings.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.