Eastern Ontario medical officer calling for standardized COVID-19 vaccination certificate

The medical officer of health for the Eastern Ontario Health Unit wants to figure out a proof-of-vaccination certificate system as more local businesses and institutions adopt policies asking for employees and visitors to be fully inoculated against COVID-19.

Whether it be through a regional approach or by a provincial mandate, Dr. Paul Roumeliotis thinks it would be wise to figure something out soon before policies are activated.

“Instead of having a patchwork of [people asking], 'Is this the piece of paper that they gave me?' You know, 'Is it legitimate?' It would take the onus off the owner if we had a standardized approach; something on an app, or something you could download,” explains the doctor.

In Ottawa, all of the major post-secondary educational institutions, the local hospitals and the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group have announced policies which require proof-of-vaccination, in some form, by at least mid-September.

Ottawa Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brent Moloughney says the Ottawa Board of Trade is in favour of vaccinations and Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is interested in exploring options that could help them. OPH is also in favour of government lead policies that ensure greater protection of the population.

“We want policies in place to encourage and support people to be vaccinated. And I think it makes sense for the province to be the policy lead here,” says Dr. Moloughney.

The Ottawa doctor says he has heard of a vaccine certificate being developed in the Peel region, and he's interested to see what that could look like. He's also willing to speak with Dr. Roumeliotis about regional health initiatives, but reiterates that OPH will be looking to the province for guidance on any kind of wide-spread proof-of-vaccination system.