The Grey Bruce Health Unit will be able to start vaccinating people with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as early as next week.
According to public health, two shipments with approximately 1,000 doses of the vaccine were approved by the Ministry of Health for the Grey-Bruce region. The first shipment will arrive during the week of January 11 and the second, the week of January 25.
On Friday, Grey-Bruce was informed it wouldn't receive the vaccines until the end of the month and the number of doses could not be confirmed.
Dr. Ian Arra, Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer for Grey Bruce Public Health said the region has had success with containing the virus, having reported no deaths throughout the pandemic.
"With the province sending us this shipment of the vaccine, we are now able to look forward to hammering the first nail in the coffin of this pandemic," said Dr. Arra. "The vaccine is key to ending this pandemic, and allowing all of us to get back our normal lives. Until then, it is critical we continue to practice as we have been; this is not the time to let our guard down," he added.
As directed by the province, the initial doses will be allocated to some residents, staff and essential workers in long-term care. More details will be coordinated with local facilities as the health unit moves through the first vaccination.