1st Canada COVID vaccine before end of 2020?
The chief medical adviser at Health Canada says Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine could be approved next month, right in time for Christmas! Canada has similar timelines to the US and Europe for approval of the vaccine being developed by Pfizer and Biotech.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is meeting on Dec. 10 to consider whether to give the go-ahead to Pfizer. Apparently, Canada is in a good position to provide coronavirus vaccine access to every Canadian who wants one in 2021, but many will have to wait until supplies roll out.
That initial rollout - which will likely see 3 million priority Canadians get their shots first - will focus on 3 core groups: those at high risk of contracting COVID-19, those at high risk of transmitting it to vulnerable people and essential workers.
Over the past several months there has been a great deal of preparation taking place behind the scenes to ensure Canada is well-positioned to obtain COVID-19 vaccines and, building on our well-established systems, provide access to every Canadian who wants one in 2021.
As things stand now, we expect certain vaccines to become available in early 2021. However, it’s important to note that the initial supply of these vaccines will be limited … When a vaccine is ready, Canada will be ready.
The coronavirus pandemic has ravaged the world over the last year, infecting 350 000 and killing over 10 000 Canadians.
Global scientific focus is centred on the race for a vaccine, which will be a crucial part of a multi-pronged and ongoing effort to reduce the spread of the deadly and highly contagious virus.