The COVID-19 vaccine rollout will start in the Weenusk First Nation Tuesday.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler welcomes the arrival of the first ORNGE led vaccination distribution team tomorrow.
“We are excited to have the first vaccination team in the remote community of Weenusk First Nation. I acknowledge the dedication to this effort by ORNGE, Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) and Ontario, and the support of the Canadian Rangers,” says Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler. “The soft launch of the vaccine rollout with NAN Elders was successful and I look forward to that momentum continuing throughout the rest of the vaccination program. This vaccine saves lives. I encourage all community members to review available information about the vaccine to make an informed decision on giving their consent to receive it.”
Weenusk First Nation Chief Abraham Hunter is also looking forward to having the distribution team in the community.
“I want to show community members that the vaccine is safe and it is the key to ending this pandemic,” Hunter adds. “To encourage others to give their consent to receiving the vaccine, I will be one of the first in Weenusk to receive it. I thank our local Pandemic Team for their outstanding work on the ground, NAN leadership for their continuous support, and ORNGE, WAHA, and the Canadian Rangers for working with us to ensure the vaccination rollout is a success for my community.”
Phase one of the rollout has a goal of April 30th to administer vaccines in 31 remote/fly-in First Nations across NAN territory.