All Canadian athletes competing at this year's Tokyo Olympics will have access to COVID-19 vaccines before they head to the global event, the Canadian Olympic Committee's (COC) chief medical officer said Friday.
COVID-19 vaccinations are not mandatory to compete in the July 23-Aug. 8 Summer Games but they are recommended. COC Chief Medical Officer Mike Wilkinson said the pace of Canada's vaccine rollout will allow the Tokyo-bound delegation to be vaccinated on time without jumping any queues.
"If we look at the process and what the planned timelines are of the vaccines, we are being assured by the government and by the vaccine task-force that ... by the time July rolls around anyone in Canada who wants to get the vaccine will be able to get it," Dr. Wilkinson said in a telephone interview.