Windsor politicians propose allowing Canadians to access Detroit's excess vaccines

Government officialsare indiscussionsto determine whether there's a way to allowWindsoritesto receive COVID-19 vaccinesthat would otherwise go unused in Detroit.

Dr. Wajid Ahmed, medical officer of health for Windsor and Essex County,said at this time, there's noconfirmation such an initiativecould go aheadbut talks are happening at the federal and provincial level to see if it could .

"A lot of these discussions and conversations are ongoing and it will take some time before the logistics are worked out," he said at the health unit's daily briefing on Monday.

The idea has been pitched by Mayor Drew Dilkens. According to the mayor's office, Windsor pharmacists who work in the U.S.have told Dilkensthat vaccines are being wasted in Detroit, since there aremultiple doses in a vialand a limited time frame in which to use the product once opened.

The mayor suggestedTransit Windsor could be used to bring people across the border for a shot and get them back home.

Windsor officials have contacted higher levelsof government and hope to have an answer in the coming weeks, according to a spokesperson for the mayor.

Manitoba-North Dakotaagreement

In Manitoba, truckers who regularly cross the border can getvaccines in North Dakota, and the state islooking at potentially extending that eligibilityto teachers and other school workers, including janitors and administrators.

Brian Masse, NDP MP for Windsor West, wants to see that sort of model in Ontario with New York and Michigan, starting with essential workers then potentially expanding further.

"What we're calling for, quite specifically, is the excess vaccinations to be used for essential workers going into the United States from Canada," he said.

Masse said this practice is already occurring in an informal way, though there are essential cross-border workers particularly and small and medium-size businesseswho haven't yet been given the opportunity for a shot.

Thousands of cross-border workers live inWindsor-Essex, including many who work at hospitals whomay have beenoffered vaccines through their employment.

State statistics show Michigan's vaccine rolloutis far ahead of Ontario's, but Detroit is lagging behind.

The state's vaccination ratestands at50 per cent, though just 30.8 per cent of Detroit residents have received at least one dose.

In Windsor-Essex, 35.3per cent of residents have gotten one or more shots of a COVID-19 vaccine.