Ontario Has Recruited A Military Expert To Start Rolling Out Vaccines In Early 2021

Premier Ford addressed the province from Queen's Park today — the first day of lockdown for both Toronto and Peel — and he had some news about Ontario's COVID-19 vaccine.

Ford introduced the expert who would be heading the provincial vaccine distribution effort: Rick Hillier, former Chief of Defence Staff for the Canadian Forces and Commander of the NATO-led forces during the War in Afghanistan.

The premier assured Ontarians that Hillier is capable of the "military precision" that's required for the task at hand.

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I have asked General Hillier to lead this effort because we need the best of the best for the monumental task at hand. Premier Doug Ford

Hillier has been named Chair of the new COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force, which will see the largest vaccine rollout in Ontario in the past decade.

The task force will advise on delivery, storage, and distribution of the vaccine, as well as creating a phased program to prioritize vulnerable populations first.

Hillier is described as having "extensive leadership experience in providing governance, strategic and public policy advice, and leading multiple national and international endeavours."

The vaccine could come as early as January 2021, Ford said today, so Hillier will have his hands full quickly in rolling out across Ontario.

Recipients of the vaccine won't just need one shot but two, 21 days apart.