Canada could roll out COVID-19 vaccine early 2021, if one is ready
Posted November 5, 2020 12:55 pm.
Last Updated November 5, 2020 7:06 pm.
OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – Ottawa is trying to figure out how it will distribute a COVID-19 vaccine across Canada once one is approved and available.
A meeting with representatives from more than 70 companies was recently held to nail down logistics. Some of those companies include UPS, FedEx, and Air Canada.
The federal government believes distribution could happen within the first three months of next year, with rollout continuing through 2022. Quantities are also expected to increase over time.
Several COVID-19 vaccine candidates are currently in the late stages of clinical trials around the world. None have been approved for human use yet.
Health Canada received its first application for approval for a COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca in early October.
Canada has signed a number of deals with various companies, including AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, and more, to secure hundreds of millions of doses of a potential vaccine.
The federal government has also signed deals, including with Quebec’s Medicago and B.C.’s Precision NanoSystems, to help develop vaccines.
Meanwhile, the Public Health Agency of Canada is trying to order more doses of the flu vaccine to meet soaring demand amid cooler months.
As the winter approaches, the health authority is pushing everyone to get one in order to avoid a “twindemic.”
