Image Credit: Facebook / Dan Albas

By Michael Reeve / Q-101 Merritt

COVID-19

Slowing vaccine delivery concerns Merritt-area MP Albas

Jan 19, 2021 | 10:39 AM

WEST KELOWNA, B.C. — Last week it was announced that the delivery of the Pfizer vaccine to Canada would be dramatically slowed over the coming weeks.

The reduction of vaccines coming into Canada and British Columbia have forced public health officials to change their plans for immunization.
“With notice of a temporary reduction in Pfizer vaccine supply in Canada, we have adjusted our immunization program to match availability. Our focus continues to be on immunizing all those in long-term care, as well as the people who care for the residents, and starting dose two at 35 days,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry.

“We have been able to rearrange the process we have to make sure we are able to continue to provide the first of two doses to those of highest risk, and that we are able to provide second doses at day 35 in accordance to our plans,” added Henry. “It’s a bit of a setback, but it is only a delay.”

Henry continued to state that she has been assured the BC will receive the extra doses at the end of February and beginning of March.

“What that will mean is the focus will be on second doses starting next week and the week after. And then building back up again to be able to provide additional first doses to those at risk,” said Henry.

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Central Okanagan Similkameen Nicola MP Dan Albas has been vocal about the issues surrounding vaccine rollout in Canada and joined Q101 to discuss the latest developments.

“Right now, I’m very concerned as it seems the situation is worsening,” began Albas. “Aside from the critical shortage that we have had from Canada’s own procurement failures, the recently announced production delay from Pfizer only makes this worse.”

“We’re learning now that certain European Countries will not be near as delayed as Canada. At some point, we have to ask why is that? We’re spending the money in record amounts yet we’re not getting the results when it comes to vaccine procurement and I’d like to know why,” questioned Albas.

Albas mentioned how countries like Italy, Spain, and Turkey are all ahead of Canada in vaccine delivery.

“Let’s be mindful that when (the Conservatives) put forward a motion looking for clarity on vaccine procurement and schedule for rollout the Government was opposed to that. In fact, they said those things would cause the whole program to be at risk,” said Albas.

“Now the Prime Minister boasts about having huge amounts of vaccine on order, but I remind the Prime Minister that being on order is not cutting it. We need the vaccine to be delivered and for whatever reason Canada seems to be falling farther and farther behind and is not forthcoming on why other jurisdictions are outperforming us,” concluded Albas.

To date, 87,346 people have received a COVID-19 vaccine in British Columbia.