Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine deliveries to get back on track after supply shortage

OTTAWA – The federal procurement minister confirms shipments of COVID-19 vaccines to Canada are set to resume after being in short supply.

Procurement Minister Anita Anand says her department has been in touch with suppliers in Europe over the past two days, and doses have already begun arriving again.

“We expect an approximate total of 330,000 doses to be delivered over the next two weeks, and after that, deliveries will begin to increase sharply.”

Anand told the House of Commons Monday that Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech are still promising to get four-million doses shipped to Canada by the end of March.

“[The companies] have assured us that the paperwork has been submitted and that the shipments should be fine for this week to leave the European Union. We are expecting our shipments as a result, and all systems are go for these shipments.”

Doses of vaccine have been in short supply for the last couple of weeks as Pfizer’s facility undergoes an expansion. This is the first shipment from the drug companies in more than a week.

RELATED: Canada signs deal with Novavax to make COVID-19 vaccine in Montreal

Earlier Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada secured a deal with Novavax to produce COVID-19 vaccines in this country.

Canada has depended on foreign based-companies for its vaccine supply so far, but the new facility won’t be completed until later this year.

Novavax’s vaccine candidate is also awaiting Health Canada approval, which is likely at least two months away.

“Vaccines work. They are safe and effective. When it’s my turn, I’ll be ready to roll up my sleeve and get my doses,” Trudeau said. “These vaccines save lives, so I hope you’ll join me.”