January 26, 2021 at 2:49 PM
As the second wave of the pandemic continues to batter many remote Indigenous communities, our Local 2002 – Ornge members have been tasked with transporting the much-needed Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to 31 First Nations in Northern, Ontario. This mammoth undertaking has been deemed by Ornge as “Operation Remote Immunity”.
“For the past year our members have been working physically and mentally exhausting shifts, yet I still receive countless messages asking what more they can do to help. “Our members proudly serve these remote Indigenous communities every day. Their understanding of each community and its leadership will allow us to complete this vital task in a sensitive, efficient, timely manner” said Mark Etherington, District Chairperson, for Ornge.
ORNGE Vaccination Program
Ornge members completed a soft launch, by transporting the Moderna vaccine and providing it to some vulnerable populations in Sioux Lookout, Moose Factory, Attawapiskat, and Fort Albany. The plan is to begin community-wide vaccinations in five First Nations starting February 1
st, 2021.
Ornge operational members will undergo cultural sensitivity training as established by both Ornge and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. Ornge will take the lead on logistical planning and seeking out alternative locations for the vaccinations to be administered – like schools or community centres so that local nursing stations aren’t overwhelmed.
The healthcare staff will be working in six groups of six. Each member group will meet at the airport of their respective hub cities – Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout, Sudbury, and Moosonee and from there will travel into the community for the day to provide and administer vaccines. Ornge members will be on the ground in these communities for about eight hours a day. The objective of
Operation Remote Immunity is to ensure that each of the 31 isolated First Nations receives both Moderna doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of April 2021. The vaccine is a critical step forward in fighting this pandemic and protecting the health and safety of remote communities.
In closing, Unifor Local 2002 would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to all of the Ornge members who have been playing a critical role on the front-lines amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A heartfelt thank you to all of the members who are risking their own lives to care for the most vulnerable among us.
Unifor Local 2002 will continue to keep the membership apprised of any further developments. For updates, please ensure your subscribed to enews at
www.unifor2002.org
In Solidarity,
Ashley Watkins
Assistant to the President Local 2002