The first shipment of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines arrived at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia in Prince George this morning.
The Pfizer vaccine has been approved by Health Canada and is safe, effective, and will save lives. Vaccines do more than protect the people being immunized, they also protect everyone around them.
Northern Health will be distributing the vaccine in accordance with the priority vaccine groups determined by the Ministry of Health, beginning with:
- High-risk health care workers
- Long-term care and assisted living residents
Northern Health’s first COVID-19 vaccinations will be happening early this week in Prince George. More information on the first person to receive the vaccine in the North will be released soon.
As more vaccines are approved by Health Canada and shipment volumes ramp up, more communities and more groups of people will receive the COVID-19 vaccine. We expect to be able to immunize all Northern BC residents who wish to have the vaccine by the end of 2021.
We expect vaccines from another manufacturer, Moderna, to be available in the New Year. Approval for the Moderna vaccine is pending with Health Canada
All COVID-19 vaccines will be free to everyone in British Columbia.
For more information about the COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine research, priority populations, and the provincial rollout plan, visit the Government of British Columbia’s COVID-19 Vaccines website.