Hamilton councillors advocate for local passport document to spur COVID-19 vaccinations

Hamilton councillors are suggesting that if the city examines creating vaccine passports for its residents, more people will get vaccinated to avoid needing such a document.

The strongest message we can send to convince people to get vaccinated would be this community is contemplating passports," said Ward 2 Coun. Jason Farr. Tell them you will not be able to participate in some things."

Hamilton councillors and staff were shaken after it was revealed the city has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the province, while COVID-19 case numbers are rising. The city has about 77 per cent of residents vaccinated with one dose, while only 67 per cent of residents have two doses. The goal is to get to 75 per cent, but the idea target should be a 90 per cent vaccination rate, said the city's Medical Officer of Health Dr. Elizabeth Richardson.

Hamilton public health officials said more than 9,000 doses of vaccine were being administered per day by the city at its peak. That has since dropped to about 1,700 doses per day, forcing the city close its clinics. It is estimated that about 15,000 more Hamiltonians need to get vaccinated to achieve the desired 80 per cent first-dose coverage and just over 37,000 residents need to receive the second dose for a 75 per cent recommended coverage.

Councillors unanimously agreed at the Aug. 11 Board of Health meeting and at their subsequent Aug. 13 council meeting that the city endorses the idea of the province issuing vaccine passports. But Mayor Fred Eisenberger said he has talked to Premier Doug Ford about the issue, and heard the province would not be creating such a document.

There is no reason this council couldn't advocate for passports at the provincial level," said Eisenberger. Many others are doing it. This is something that they should take seriously to inspire more people to get vaccinated."

Provincial officials have rejected calls for a vaccine passport, calling it unnecessary. They have said the paper document people receive after getting their second dose is all the proof of vaccination needed.

The federal government, though, will introduce a vaccine passport for international travel sometime in the fall, said Transport Minister Omar Alghabra in answer to a question from Hamilton Community News while in Hamilton.

Councillors have felt the full brunt of residents who are opposed to getting vaccinated, giving their representatives an earful against passports.

Stoney Creek Coun. Maria Pearson said she defended her decision to support vaccine passports to constituents adamantly opposed to the idea.

It's similar to the mask and now the community has accepted it," said Pearson. I stood by my position supporting this."

Farr has also tangled with so-called anti-vaxxers as they struggle" to make their voices known.

Some of them have articulated their position very strongly," said Farr. They are feeling the heat."

Ancaster Coun. Lloyd Ferguson said he has been receiving messages from residents arguing getting vaccinated will violate their constitutional rights.

City legal counsel Stephen Spracklin said it is a complex" decision that should be discussed at higher levels."

Hamilton's Medical Officer of Health Dr. Elizabeth Richardson said vaccinations are only mandatory when a person is allowed to participate in various activities. Under Ontario's Immunization of School Pupils Act, it requires elementary and secondary school students to have proof of vaccination against certain diseases.

Ward 1 Coun. Maureen Wilson said there are many reasons why so many people are not vaccinated, including a lack of transportation, child care, and long work hours.

She said officials should understand the social determinants that cause some people not to participate. We are not seeking to be punitive. We are seeking to be preventive."