“but the real problem comes (for those age) 65 and above, because a lot of people once they turn 65 and it goes to the provincial drug plan, a lot of their drug coverages just stop. the province won’t pay for it.
“and it’s not a small chunk of change, that’s for sure.”
a respiratory syncytial virus vial is shown.
manjurul
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getty images
champ, 65, said many seniors are barely making ends meet due to rising inflation. she’s also written a letter to minister of health sylvia jones.
“with the rental (costs) that people are paying in windsor and the price of food, they’re going to forego the medication to put food on their table,” she said.
“and if (the virus is) such a danger, then make it affordable for seniors.
“at this rate and this economic time, a lot of us aren’t going to be able to afford to get (the vaccine) and then they’re going to overwhelm our hospitals.
“evidently, (government leaders) haven’t learned anything from covid.”
brady, who owns brady’s drug store and who is also past-chairman of the ontario pharmacy association, said he understands the provincial government has to weigh the risk against the cost when making health care decisions and the biggest concern for the spread of rsv is in facilities.
“if you have a seniors home, you’ve got pretty much frail people,” brady said. “a concern for rsv would be in a nursing home where it could literally wipe out a large portion of people.