"First images" of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine headed for Canada (PHOTOS)

Dec 12 2020, 8:37 pm

The “first images” of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine on its way to Canada have been released.

The photos, which show the vaccine being processed in Cologne, Germany, were shared by UPS Canada’s Twitter account on December 11.

We are ready to make one of the most important deliveries in our 45 year history in Canada,” the tweet said.

Health Canada approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate on December 9. However, the authorization does not apply to those under the age of 16, as it is not yet known how the vaccine affects younger people.

The first shipment contains 30,000 doses of the vaccine, and a total of 249,000 are expected to arrive in Canada before the end of 2020. Immunizations are expected to begin on December 15.

Following reports of reactions in the UK – which was the first country to publicly use the vaccine – Health Canada issued a recommendation that people with certain allergies refrain from getting the vaccine.

“When we do an authorization, it means that we’ve looked at it and the benefits outweigh the potential risks. But, it is still a drug. It’s still a vaccine,” said Dr. Supriya Sharma, a senior medical advisor with Health Canada. “There are potential risks, even if they’re rare.”

Canada has deals with seven vaccine manufacturers, including Pfizer, to procure up to 194 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Health officials have the option to purchase an additional 220 million doses if need be.

To date, Canada has seen 448,841 COVID-19 cases and 13,251 deaths. Federal health officials have warned that if we don’t limit our daily contacts, the country could see up to 577,000 cases and 14,920 deaths by Christmas.

Zoe DemarcoZoe Demarco

+ News
+ Coronavirus
ADVERTISEMENT