Alberta expects to receive more than half-million COVID-19 vaccine doses by early 2021

EDMONTON (660 NEWS) — Alberta anticipates it will receive 680,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine early in the new year.

Health Minister Tyler Shandro announced on his Twitter that the province is participating in the national bulk procurement for COVID-19 vaccines and should receive 465,000 doses from Pfizer and about 221,000 doses from Moderna.

“We will be working with Alberta Health Services and federal public health officials to prioritize distribution for Alberta’s most vulnerable, health care workers and residents in continuing care,” he said.

The pharmaceutical makers Pfizer and Moderna have both said their vaccines appear to be 95 per cent effective against the coronavirus.

But Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, cautions there are still hurdles and other unknowns, including testing to confirm the safety and effectiveness of the various types of vaccines.

“All of those checks and balances must be cleared,” she said.

“If that does happen, there is a per-capita allocation of vaccine.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Winnipeg rock station, 92.1 CITI, that it’s encouraging to hear a vaccine could be ready in a couple of months but doesn’t want people to start letting their guard down as a result.

“We can see the end in sight. The light at the end of the tunnel is coming, but we have to really hang on for these next few months and do what is smart. Keep those distances, stop those gatherings, wear the mask,” he said.

-With files from the Canadian Press

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