The first shipments of COVID-19 vaccines could be arriving in Canada before the end of the year.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced early delivery of 249,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine candidate is expected sometime next week, pending Health Canada approval.
"Any vaccine approved in Canada will be safe and effective. The regulatory process is ongoing and experts are working around the clock," said Prime Minister Trudeau.
In total, the Canadian government has ordered up to 76 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which requires two doses per person, to be taken two weeks apart.
The government will conduct a dry run with Pfizer this week to ensure all the proper protocols are in place for the delivery of the vaccine that needs to be stored at -70 C.
The government has identified 14 sites across the country where they can immediately start delivering the Pfizer doses. There will be two sites in each of the country's four largest provinces, and one site in the other provinces and territories.
"The Immunization, Vaccination Advisory Board, filled with scientists and experts, has made determinations around the most vulnerable populations that need to receive vaccinations on a priority basis and that is guiding our efforts and our decision on rolling out vaccines," said Trudeau.
No vaccines have been approved by Health Canada to date.
"These vaccines don't get approved unless they are safe for Canadians. Health Canada has one of the most rigorous approval processes in the world and we are deeply watching other countries go through their processes but we will make, Health Canada, will make its own internal process decisions based on what is safe for Canadians. If Health Canada approves these vaccines we will begin to deliver these safe vaccines to Canadians throughout the country."
Canada also has agreements with Medicago, AstraZeneca, Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Novavax, and Moderna for COVID-19 vaccines.
Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Monday afternoon that the vaccine will first go to people in certain groups, which include health care workers, long-term care residents, all those connected with long-term care facilities, and Indigenous adults from communities where transmission risk is high. Regions of Ontario that are in lockdown or the "red-control" classification will be prioritized.
"Ontario is ready to do their part," said Ford. "We'll be ready, as we are now, to distribute the first batch of vaccines when they arrive on our doorstep."
-With files from Mark Brown