National

Several provinces redouble vaccine efforts

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 22 Mar, 2021 05:01 PM

Several provinces are redoubling COVID-19 vaccination efforts today, offering shots to broader swaths of the population.

Ontario has lowered the age threshold for those who can book vaccines through the government's online system starting today, from 80 down to 75.

Also starting today, certain pharmacies and family physicians in some regions will be allowed to administer the Oxford-AstraZeneca shot to anyone 60 or older.

Previously, that vaccine was only offered to those between the ages of 60 and 64, but that has expanded now that the product has been approved for use in older adults.

Meanwhile, Quebec is expected to start vaccinating people 65 and up in Montreal-area pharmacies today, a week after the provincial booking system opened for reservations.

And to the east, New Brunswick is stepping up a program to vaccinate high school staff, saying it expects 4,500 such workers will receive a first dose.

As of last night, government figures show 3.95 million doses of vaccine had been administered across Canada, and nearly 630,000 people had been fully vaccinated.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Advice spurned to boost police at casinos: inquiry

Fred Pinnock, who was in charge of the now-defunct illegal gaming enforcement team, testified that he felt the RCMP needed to have an increased police presence in casinos and racetracks, but the suggestion wasn't "warmly received."

Advice spurned to boost police at casinos: inquiry

Whole Foods will let employees wear poppies after drawing ire for its earlier ban

The policy is a blanket ban on anything other than the retailer's basic uniform -- a Whole Foods apron, coat or vest, hat, and standard-issue name tag -- and doesn't single out poppies, the Amazon-owned chain said.

Whole Foods will let employees wear poppies after drawing ire for its earlier ban

Airlines lure customers with 'bait and switch'

Instead, the Oshawa, Ont., duo say they and their 84 guests are out more than $216,000 after their Sunwing Airlines vacation package was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Airlines lure customers with 'bait and switch'

Top court sides with Maple Leaf Foods

In a decision today, the top court says Maple Leaf Foods did not owe the submarine sandwich outlets a duty of care under the law.

Top court sides with Maple Leaf Foods

Feds, some provinces have room to spend more: PBO

Based on the budget officer's calculations, the government could increase spending, reduce taxes, or a combination of the two to the tune of $19 billion and still reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio over time to pre-pandemic levels.

Feds, some provinces have room to spend more: PBO

Economy added 84,000 jobs in October

Nearly 450,000 were considered long-term unemployed last month, meaning they had been without a job for 27 weeks or more, with their ranks swelling by 79,000 in September and then 151,000 more in October.