Canada to receive nearly 2M COVID-19 vaccine doses in coming weeks: Fortin
Posted February 11, 2021 10:13 am.
Last Updated February 11, 2021 2:41 pm.
OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout is set to kick into high gear after major disruptions left us with zero doses just a few weeks ago.
To date, Canada has administered just over 1.1 million doses, and in the next four weeks we’re expecting 1.8 million from Pfizer and 168,000 from Moderna.
More than 1,150,000 doses have been administered in Canada #cdnpoli
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) February 11, 2021
Maj. Gen. Danny Fortin is confident the provinces will be able to handle this major increase in distribution.
“There’s still more work to do, for sure, at all levels in the coming weeks. But the provinces have solid plans,” he said.
While Pfizer appears on track to meet its target for the end of March, Moderna is still short 1.3-million doses. But Fortin insists the gap will be filled.
“We have been told that we could expect to have this delivered over two different shipments in the month of March,” he said.
Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Howard Njoo asked why are we so behind other countries (38th). He says it's difficult to compare to other countries with different factors at play. Says government is adjusting along the way with shortages, but we are on track #cdnpoli
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) February 11, 2021
But given the shortages we’ve already faced, there are still many questions about whether we will meet our goal.
Canada is 38th in the world for vaccination rates, but Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Howard Njoo says he doesn’t like international comparisons.
“It’s difficult to compare countries with different factors in play. The focus should be what we’re doing here in Canada. Of course, we’re always looking to see what can be adjusted,” he said.
He maintains Canada is still on track.