Dear editor:

I have trying since mid-December to get answer to a very simple question.

“Will persons with immune suppression (organ transplant recipients), auto-immune disorders, serious respiratory diseases, heart issues and other serious underlying conditions be considered as high-risk individuals and have a specific priority position within the vaccine rollout prioritization.”

This question has been posed to Health Canada, Patti Hajdu, Justin Trudeau, Doug Ford, Christine Elliott and Ontario's health ministry.

When I do get a response, it is always a “form letter” referencing a web link that shows the prioritization that we have been hearing about (long-term care residents and staff, health care workers, remote indigenous communities, etc., followed by over 80, then 75 and so on).

Failure to recognize the immune-suppressed population as being high-risk seems like a grave oversight to me. I am certain that in a community like ours, full of seniors, that there are a significant number of people who have serious underlying conditions and are at much higher risk than a healthy 75- or 80-year-old.

I fall into this category, as I have a kidney transplant and have suppressed immunity as well as a serious respiratory condition. I, and others like me, are at very high risk and would not survive COVID.

It appears at present, at least, that I will likely have to wait until mid-May as I am in the 70 to 75 age grouping. My wife and I will have to continue living in fear and isolation until our “turn” comes around.

Mr. Trudeau and his government have much to answer for in their response to the pandemic a year ago and their botched handling of border closures and vaccine procurement. The fact that we are 47th or worse in the world in terms of population percentage vaccinated speaks volumes concerning the incompetence of Trudeau and his government.

Ron Ashenhurst
905-468-1105