THUNDER BAY – Health Minister Patty Hajdu says Canada is ramping up vaccine supply and brushed off criticism lobbed at her government by Ontario Premier Doug Ford about not providing vaccines quickly enough the province.
Hajdu, who on Wednesday joined Ford virtually to announce a Canadian vaccine manufacturing facility to be built in the Toronto area, said she understands everyone is anxious about getting vaccinated, but noted the country’s supply will drastically increase in coming days and weeks.
“We have 3.5 million vaccines coming into the country this week, millions upon millions in the weeks to come, confirmed shipments from Pfizer, accelerated into June,” Hajdu said.
“Johnson and Johnson is now giving us delivery dates at the end of April; so things are looking much brighter, in terms of getting vaccines out.”
Hajdu said Canada actually exceeded its target for the first quarter, bringing eight million vaccines into the country, two million more than promised.
According to the government, 9.18 per cent of eligible Canadians have received at least one dose of the vaccine, with 1.66 per cent having received two doses. The feds say nearly 60 per cent of adults older than 80 have received at least one dose.
A total of 5.6 million doses have been administered country wide.
In Ontario, 2.19 million doses have been administered, with 315,820 people considered to be fully vaccinated.
Ford has repeatedly said the province needs more vaccines in order to up the number of people being vaccinated, while retired Gen. Rick Hillier on Tuesday said he still believes ever Ontarian who wants a vaccine will be able to get their first dose by the start of summer.
“As much as I understand the premier’s anxiety to get this job done, I will encourage him to plan for the volume of vaccines that we’re getting,” Hajdu said.
The arrival of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, a one-shot vaccine, could also be a game-changer. It’ll be ideal for those with mobility issues and those living in rural and remote communities, Hajdu said.
“I know health-care providers are really excited about getting this into the country.”
Hajdu also addressed the controversy surrounding the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has been approved for use in Canada. This week province’s put a pause on administering it to anyone younger than 55, citing reports of rare blood clots forming as a result of the vaccine.
It’s still being used in Ontario through a soon-to-expand pharmacy delivery model, for anyone aged 60 to 64. It’s expected to roll out in Thunder Bay this week.
The health minister said anyone with questions should take the advice of their health-care provider.
“At the end of the day, Health Canada will not allow the continued use of a product that’s been shown to be unsafe for Canadians and advice will change as data and research comes in,” Hajdu said. “You can rest assured the advice that’s been provided to Canadians is based on very detailed scrutiny of the data, not just here, but all around the world.”
Asked about when Canadians can expect clear guidelines on what restrictions or regulations may in place for those who are vaccinated and those who aren’t, Hajdu said the country is working with the international community to try to understand how vaccinations affect transmission of COVID-19.
“We’ll have more to say in the weeks to come about what vaccination means and how you might be able to consider easing some measures. But for now we’re telling people to continue to apply the public health measures.”
