Niagara Health's Medical Advisory Committee has penned a letter to local community leaders urging them to advocate for more doses.
The letter expressed gratitude for the initial shipments of the Pfizer vaccine, but says that the doses received are not enough.
It also says that the situation is compounded by the "inexplicable diversion" of the Moderna vaccine.
"While we are pleased to receive the initial shipments of the Pfizer vaccine, the reality is that it’s not enough. It’s not enough to vaccinate our vulnerable population and not enough to guarantee continuous operation of your hospital system. This is compounded by the inexplicable diversion of the Moderna vaccine, which would have gone to the most vulnerable population that we care for in Niagara."
The letter claims that while none of Niagara's 32 long-term care homes received doses before today, all 19 long-term care homes in Windsor have been vaccinated.
So far, over 220 healthcare workers within Niagara Health have tested positive for COVID-19, and about 200 others have needed to self-isolate due to potential exposure.
The Committee warns that if current trends continue, our hospital system will become overwhelmed.
"With the spread of infection, it has become increasingly difficult to maintain services in the hospital and continue to save lives. We are not far from our system being overwhelmed. The hospital system is currently dealing with 8 units on outbreak, including one of our COVID units, one of our ICU’s and two of our emergency departments."
The letter is encouraging community leaders to share the message on social media and write to their local MPPs.
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