Ontario Premier Doug Ford received his first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on camera Friday.
Ford got the shot at a pharmacy in Etobicoke at 10 a.m.
“I appreciate everything you’re doing and the whole team here,” Ford said after receiving the shot. “I want to thank Shoppers for doing such a great job and all other pharmacies, you’re really contributing so we’re very, very grateful.”
The 56-year-old premier was eligible to get his shot due to his age. People aged 55 and older can get the vaccine through Ontario pharmacies.
“We have received more vaccines from the federal government, with additional shipments promised over the coming days and weeks,” Ford said. “Now it’s up to all of us to get our shots. This is the best way to protect yourselves from this deadly virus.”
“When your turn comes, I strongly urge everyone to book an appointment to get your safe, Health Canada approved vaccine.”
Last week, Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott got her first dose of AstraZeneca on camera as well in a bid to encourage others to get the vaccine due to hesitancy.
Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has recommended AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine not be administered to people under the age of 55.
The committee cited concerns over reports of blood clots for those younger but said it recommends the vaccine for those who are older.
As of the province’s last update, 2,940,166 vaccine doses have been administered so far with 328,598 people fully vaccinated with two shots.