The Ontario NDP are criticizing a $165 million computer system designed to track Ontario's vaccine records, after discovering the network is unable to communicate with an existing records system.
Dubbed the "Panorama," the vaccination tracker originally had a price tag of $79 million and was supposed to be ready by 2011. The system, however, hasn't been fully implemented and the cost is now pegged at $165 million.
Despite the cost overrun, however, the Ontario government says they are "happy with (the system's) effectiveness" so far and they are working to fine tune the network.
"(Health professionals) can not only utilize (Panorama) to check for vaccination status to make sure that Ontarians are being vaccinated -- which is the most important thing -- but also in those cases where there are outbreaks, be able to respond effectively and quickly," Ontario Health Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins told CTV Toronto.
Critics, however, say there's another problem -- Panorama isn't compatible with the existing eHealth Ontario system, an electronic records network that allows health professionals to easily access a person’s medical history.
"Hundreds of millions of dollars more have been invested into eHealth … but none of (the systems) talk to one another," Ontario NDP Health Critic France Gelinas said.
Gelinas said it's important that Panorama is fully implemented given the recent measles outbreak across the country.
Earlier this year, a makeshift clinic was set up at a west-end Toronto daycare after health officials discovered an adult was infected with the measles virus.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Paul Bliss
