The first shipment of 1,950 doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccines arrived at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. on Monday, Northern Health reported.
Northern Health expects to begin vaccinating high-risk health care workers and long-term care and assisted-living residents early this week.
"The Pfizer vaccine has been approved by Health Canada and is safe, effective, and will save lives. Vaccines do more than protect the people being immunized, they also protect everyone around them," a statement issued by Northern Health said. "As more vaccines are approved by Health Canada and shipment volumes ramp up, more communities and more groups of people will receive the COVID-19 vaccine. We expect to be able to immunize all Northern BC residents who wish to have the vaccine by the end of 2021."
Northern Health anticipates the vaccine created by Moderna to be available in 2021, as Health Canada is expected to approve it for use shortly.
All COVID-19 vaccines will be free to everyone in British Columbia.
More information about the vaccines is available online here: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/vaccines.
