Oxford medical leaders send open letter to community urging vaccines
Oxford County’s top doctors and medical professionals have written an open letter to the community urging people who haven’t already, to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The letter is endorsed by Dr. Joyce Lock, the medical officer of health for Southwestern Public Health, along with 23 other physicians and health care professionals, including the CEOs of Woodstock, Ingersoll and Tillsonburg hospitals and their chiefs of staff.
Those who have also attached their names include clinic supervisors, nurse practitioners, mental health professionals and social housing executives.
The letter states that while residents have looked to their leadership for evidence-based information, they have turned to science to guide their recommendations for preventing COVID-19.
“Unfailingly, that research leads us to vaccination,” says the letter. It goes on to say that, “to date, there is nothing peer reviewed in a reputable journal that speaks against vaccination. The vaccines approved for use in Canada are overwhelmingly safe and effective. They protect the person who is vaccinated, but high numbers of vaccinated also protect those who haven’t had the vaccine due to their age or an allergy.”
The letter acknowledges that many are feeling “increasingly frustrated” that 18 months into the pandemic life is still not back to the way it was before COVID.
“Our message remains unchanged: get vaccinated if you have not yet done so, and continue to avoid enclosed spaces, crowded places, and close contact with others as much as possible. This is the best course of action to keep our schools, businesses, recreation facilities and places of worship open.”
The letter says it’s time to approach “frazzled front-line service workers with extra kindness,” and to reach out to those who are struggling.
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.
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.
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.
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.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
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.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.