On the same day Health Canada approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine, Manitoba health officials laid out their early planning for the province’s vaccine rollout.
“We will focus our initial immunization efforts on those most at risk of COVID-19 including seniors, those working in the health-care system and in long-term care facilities, and Indigenous peoples,” said Premier Brian Pallister.
He confirmed the first 1,950 doses of the Pfizer vaccine will arrive next week — enough to immunize about 900 recipients (with two doses each).
The Pfizer vaccine — which showed 95% effectiveness in trials — requires two doses to confer protection from the virus. The second dose is required three weeks after the first inoculation.
Another 228,000 of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are expected to arrive in Manitoba between now and March 31 — enough to vaccinate about 7% of the population.
“There is only a very limited supply of these new vaccines, and very likely there will only be a limited supply of these vaccines available before the spring. We can not let our guard down,” said the Premier.
“The cavalry is not here yet, and we have to make sure that we’re defending one another.”
