The Covid-19 vaccine eligibility group is making history for the Indigenous community.
Indigenous peoples aged 16 and older are now eligible to receive the vaccine, making this the first time Canada has prioritized Indigenous health.
Priority has been given to Indigenous people for the vaccine due to being more susceptible to contracting the virus, with severe inequities for Indigenous populations and lower socioeconomic deterrence of health than the general population.
Jennifer Komorowski, a Ph.D. Candidate at Western and part of the Oneida Nations of the Thames received her vaccine when she became eligible in late March. “I think it’s such an important issue because historically, Indigenous people have not been given the best health care. This goes back well over 100 years with the Indian Act and imposition of the reservation system. My mom is from the Oneida Nations of the Thames and even there, there’s much less services on the reserve compared to what you can find in the city.”
Giving the Indigenous community priority for the vaccine can be considered as an act of reconciliation from the government for the history of poor treatment regarding Indigenous peoples.
“There is a whole history of problems with health care, and we even see it today. There was recently in Quebec nurses discriminating against Indigenous people. I think there is still a lot of criticism, but I think that putting Indigenous people further up in priority shows that they see the importance of preserving our culture.”
Jess Gould/XFM News
Health Canada has stated on their website “It is important to recognize that some First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples live in communities that are disproportionately impacted by infectious diseases. Reduced access to stable housing, income, clean water and/or health and social services place many Indigenous peoples at higher risk of COVID-19”.
The government of Canada is currently reporting over 600 Indigenous communities with Covid-19 vaccines underway.
A special COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be held at the N’Amerind Friendship Centre in London between April 22-24. This clinic is designed for Indigenous, Métis and Inuit Peoples who would be more comfortable in a smaller space than booking at a mass vaccination clinic.
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