ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — As Labrador-Grenfell Health expands its delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to seniors, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says no one should fret about delayed shipments from the province’s key supplier.
Pfizer Canada announced last week its plant in Belgium that supplies the Canadian market is undergoing an upgrade, and shipments will fall short for the next few weeks as those changes occur.
The company plans to boost shipments in March to make up for the shortfall.
“The renovations will accommodate increased production of the vaccine, which is a positive step for everyone on a global scale,” Fitzgerald said this week. “We anticipate a delay for eight trays of vaccine, which is about 7,800 doses. It will not reduce the overall amount our province will receive. We will just be receiving it later than anticipated.”
Shipments of Moderna vaccine from the U.S. will not be affected.
Health authorities in the province have started inoculating residents and staff in long-term and personal care homes, after initially focusing on frontline health-care staff.
But Fitzgerald still can’t say who is next on the list, other than that age will be one of the main factors.
“As more vaccine becomes available, the Department of Health and Community Services and the regional authorities will notify the public as to the next category of individuals eligible for vaccination and how they can access a clinic.”
She said next steps rely on how much vaccine arrives after March.
“We’ll be making announcements when we’re able to do that, and we will be providing that information about how people will be able to book their appointments,” she said.
75 and older
The Labrador authority, meanwhile, has announced its next step, at least for elderly people in remote regions.
“The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will be available to individuals 75 years of age or older in communities on the south coast of Labrador beginning Jan. 26, 2021,” Labrador-Grenfell Health announced Thursday.
“The vaccine will be administered on location by the public health vaccination team and community clinic/health centre staff.”
The Labrador authority issued phone numbers for people to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments:
- Cartwright Community Clinic: 709-938-7285
- Charlottetown Community Clinic: 709-949-0259
- Labrador South Health Centre, Forteau: 709-931-2450
- Mary’s Harbour Community Clinic: 709-921-6228
- Port Hope Simpson Community Clinic: 709-960-0271
- St. Lewis Community Clinic: 709-939-2230
Meanwhile, the Nunatsiavut government released its vaccine rates for shots given from Jan. 11-16.
For the communities of Makkovik, Hopedale, Nain, Rigolet and Postville, an average of 79 per cent of eligible adults have received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine.
In Nain, the largest community, the rate was 66 per cent.
The Inuit authority expects to administer second doses to residents of those communities in the week starting Feb. 8.
@pjackson_nl
Peter Jackson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering health issues in St. John’s.
