Canada receiving 500,000 Moderna doses next week

OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) — More Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are on their way to Canada.

After having some talks with the federal government, Moderna confirms 500,000 doses of the COVID vaccine are coming next week.

Another 1.5-million will arrive the week of June 14.

That’s still well short of the company’s commitment for the second quarter of the year, but Ottawa says deliveries will ramp up in the second half of next month.

“Moderna has indicated that it will continue to ramp up its deliveries in the second part of June with millions of additional doses to be delivered. We will provide further updates as additional deliveries are confirmed by the company,” a statement from Minister Anita Anand regarding Moderna vaccine shipments reads.

Moderna confirms 500,000 doses coming next week, and 1.5-million the week of June 14. Still well short of their commitment for Q2, but Minister Anand says deliveries will ramp up in the second half of June #cdnpoli https://t.co/fEz8xoi68p

— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) May 27, 2021

These shipments are in addition to the confirmed deliveries of 2.4 million doses from Pfizer arriving weekly in June.

While Moderna continues to promise to send millions of more doses next month, Canada’s top doctor, Dr. Theresa Tam has said earlier this week that there have been many vaccine delivery questions, when it comes to Moderna.

Canada had been promised 48 million doses — expecting to be delivered before Canada Day.

Until Thursday, the federal government hasn’t been able to provide a firm delivery schedule. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was only able to say the country will get “millions” and he was still waiting for a confirmed delivery schedule from the company.

Related Articles: 

• Canada’s COVID vaccination rates soaring, Moderna deliveries still up in the air

• Moderna says its COVID-19 shot works in kids as young as 12

• Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine can be given to kids as young as 12, Health Canada says

• B.C. to offer Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to kids 12+

The company has been struggling with production and lagging in its deliveries thanks to high demand.

“Canada remains very much on track to receive vaccines for eligible Canadians to have their first dose by the end of June, with the administration of second doses also underway,” Anand’s statement adds.

– With files from Cormac Mac Sweeney, Sonia Aslam, Nikitha Martins and The Canadian Press