COVID-19 Response
Covid-19 Vaccine FAQ
The Covid-19 Vaccine FAQ covers frequently asked questions about Covid-19 vaccines.
This resource is updated with new information as it becomes available.
Click here to view the PDF
Christian Horizons’ Organizational Statement on Vaccines and COVID-19 Response Measures
Statement on Vaccines and Public Health Measures
This resource articulates Christian Horizons’ position on COVID-19 vaccines and public health measures in light of our Christian values and the pandemic’s impact on people with developmental disabilities.
Click here to view the PDF
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Christian Horizons promotes communities of belonging for people who experience disabilities. As such, the COVID-19 pandemic presents significant challenges to our mission. Multiple aspects to these challenges include:
- Heightened bioethical concerns surrounding healthcare triaging and disability
- Additional health risks to people with developmental disabilities and systemic barriers to accessing healthcare
- Stringent public health restrictions for people with developmental disabilities who live in publicly-funded group living environments
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Based on the current situation and our values shaped by the Christian faith tradition, we strongly advocate for community public health measures including vaccination. We believe that vaccination, along with continued precautions such as masking, social distancing, and hygiene practices, will help people who are elderly, immunocompromised, or disabled safely resume full engagement in society.
As an international ministry, we urge our government and other countries with the means to continue to support vaccination efforts around the world, as the pandemic has highlighted global inequity in new ways. We call on our partners and friends to consider the needs and desires of people with developmental disabilities and to respond and advocate, accordingly.
Now that vaccines are readily available, we look forward to a time where people with developmental disabilities can safely and fully re-engage with their friends, communities, and worshipping congregations.
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From its beginning, the values, vision, and mission of Christian Horizons have been motivated and shaped by the example of Jesus Christ in Christian Scripture.
- Christ’s self-giving love sets a relevant moral example for everyone in our communities too, “in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4, NIV). As such, Christian Horizons believes it is imperative to take actions both individually and as a society to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These actions help make it possible for people with disabilities to safely resume in-person activities in their roles as citizens, employees, volunteers, and people of faith.
- Those who identify as Christians are further challenged by Jesus’ command to “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34, NIV). John later describes that Jesus demonstrated this love in sacrificing his life for us, “And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (1 John 3:16, NIV). While complying with public health mandates seldom involves death, there are times when being inconvenienced or taking risks ourselves so that others can be welcomed back into the community displays a measure of Christ-shaped sacrificial love.
Vaccine Webinars
Upcoming information sessions available to employees, people who use services, and their families.
With COVID-19 Vaccinations receiving approval for use in Canada it is important that the people we support and our employees have reliable information in order to make informed decisions around receiving their vaccinations.
You can register for upcoming webinars by clicking on the link included in the emails that you receive from Christian Horizons. To view the recordings of previous webinars featuring different experts, you can click here to view the entire playlist of webinars on YouTube or click the links below to view a specific webinar.
- COVID-19 Webinar – September 30, 2022
In this webinar, we are fortunate to have an Infectious Diseases Doctor joining us to further discuss current guidelines and share information about the Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccine. - COVID-19 Webinar – April 29, 2022
In this webinar, we will discuss re-engagement and will also be giving a short update about our current COVID-19 guidelines and any expected changes. - COVID-19 Webinar – January 14, 2022
In this webinar, we will discuss what has changed since our last COVID-19 update in November 2021. - COVID-19 Webinar – November 26, 2021
In this webinar, we will answer questions and provide up-to-date vaccine and screening information and discuss new information surrounding 3rd doses. - COVID-19 Webinar – August 27, 2021
In this webinar, we will answer questions and provide up-to-date vaccine and screening information and discuss how to continue our fight against COVID-19. - COVID-19 Webinar – July 23, 2021
In this webinar, we will address your questions regarding COVID-19 vaccines, our organizational vaccine policy, the Rapid Antigen Screening; and will provide updates regarding Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopening and what that means for people that use services and their families. - COVID-19 Webinar – June 25, 2021
In this webinar, we will provide information and learn together about 1) Vaccination uptake and reporting; 2) Welcoming people back from essential visits when fully vaccinated; 3) Information on our Christian Horizons vaccination policy; 4) Rapid Antigen Test Screening – pilot now happening at Christian Horizons; 5) Specific community breakout meetings to offer further local updates. - COVID-19 Webinar – May 14, 2021
We will be hosting back Dr. Tara Moriarty, a research scientist and the director of the Moriarty Research Lab at the University of Toronto, and her team of research scientists to answer questions related to current COVID-19 vaccines. There will be time for “live†questions and answers. I would strongly recommend those that still have questions about COVID-19 and the vaccines available, attend this webinar on Friday – you can have your questions answered right from Dr. Moriarty and a team of experts. - COVID-19 Webinar – April 23, 2021
The webinar will provide you with more information regarding the vaccines and also give you a chance to talk with your local community leaders more specifically about vaccine planning in your community. - COVID-19 Webinar – April 16, 2021
Information about vaccine availability and eligibility seems to change daily, so we want to connect to share updates from what we’ll learn this week and answer any questions you may have. - COVID-19 Webinar -April 9, 2021
This week’s webinar is about 1) Spread of variants of COVID-19; 2) Further updates on the vaccines available in Canada; 3) Our broad experiences regarding vaccinations at Christian Horizons; and 4) Specific community break out meetings to offer further local vaccine rollout planning. - COVID-19 Webinar – March 26, 2021
Last week, on March 19, we shared a lot of information on the newer vaccines available in Canada and are hopeful for even more updates this week. - COVID-19 Webinar – March 19, 2021
In Canada, there are now four approved vaccines and hundreds of thousands of doses are becoming available. We continue to advocate for the people who use our services and our employees. We know people with a developmental disability and our staff supporting people are prioritized to receive vaccinations and we are seeing people receiving the vaccine in our communities. The rollout of the vaccine is very different from community to community, so we are connecting with the local Public Health units on how we can support their work to be sure that everyone has access to the vaccine as soon as possible. - COVID-19 Webinar – March 12, 2021
This week focuses on updated information on the AstraZeneca vaccine and the decision from Health Canada for its use, as well as answering the questions that were submitted by people who use services, family members and employees. - COVID-19 Webinar – February 26, 2021
Similar to our last webinar, we will start by providing you with information and insights regarding the vaccines. We’ll also hear from a person who uses our services, who is an active member of Our Voices Matter self-advocate group. Then we’ll move into groups by the community, where you will have the opportunity to connect with your local community leaders who will share an update. - COVID-19 Webinar – February 12, 2021
This webinar will be an opportunity for everyone to discuss unique situations to COVID-19 vaccinations at Christian Horizons. This will include a conversation around obtaining consent. There will be time set aside in this webinar to allow for breakout sessions with each district to discuss district-specific issues/concerns around vaccine access. - COVID-19 Webinar – February 5, 2021
Dr. Dwek is an infectious diseases specialist primarily working in Oshawa. Dr. Dwek completed his internal medicine specialty in 2015 at Western University and went on to specialize in infectious diseases at the University of Toronto completing his training in 2019. - COVID-19 Webinar – January 29, 2021
Dr. Marwah Younis Damani is a pharmacist with a focus on the developmental services sector. Marwah will be joining us to discuss the COVID-19 vaccines. - COVID-19 Webinar – January 22, 2021
Dr. Tara Moriarty is a research scientist and the director of the Moriarty Research Lab at the University of Toronto. The Moriarty Lab is an infectious disease research lab, with a focus on bloodborne pathogens. - COVID-19 Webinar – January 18, 2021
(No teaser available) - COVID-19 Webinar – January 14, 2021
(No teaser available)
If you would like to attend any of the above-mentioned webinars, please register using the links in weekly emails you receive from Christian Horizons.
For further details contact us at communications@christian-horizons.org.
The health, safety, and well-being of people who use our services and our employees is our priority.
Christian Horizons is continually monitoring the situation and in regular contact with Canadian Public Health Authorities. As well, we are working closely with our teams, planning and responding to the situation, to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
We are taking all appropriate measures to ensure homes and community locations are safe and that we have plans and protocols in place to ensure they stay that way. Our focus is on providing essential direct support to people who use our services, and the infrastructure to make that happen. As of today, except in exceptional circumstances, we will not admit visitors to our support sites. We are thankful for technology, and will gladly facilitate visits via Skype, FaceTime or other technology-supported means.
We continue to work together to ensure the health and safety of the people who use our services, our employees, and the community broadly.
Learn more about COVID-19.
Please note, Christian Horizons Community Participation Supports, Respite Programs, Vocational and Employment Supports, and all other non-residential supports are closed until further notice. Our offices are also closed to the public. For a list of program closures, click here.
