Categories: Coronavirus

Trudeau Frustrated By Slow Vaccines Rollout

In this file photo Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a news conference on January 9, 2020 in Ottawa, Canada. Dave Chan / AFP

 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday in his first address of the new year that he was “frustrated” by the slow pace of COVID-19 inoculations across Canada, three weeks into a vaccination campaign.

The Canadian government has so far distributed 424,500 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines — the only ones authorized to date in Canada — to its provinces and territories responsible for the vaccination program, according to official figures.

But only about 148,000 doses of vaccine have been administered so far, according to local media.

“I think all Canadians, including me are frustrated to see vaccines in freezers and not in people’s arms,” Trudeau told a news conference.

Trudeau is scheduled to speak Thursday with provincial and territorial leaders to discuss “how the federal government can support and help in getting these vaccines more quickly to Canadians,” he said.

The ultimate goal, he said, was to “get vaccines to every Canadians who wants them by September.”

Canada has placed orders and secured options for more than 400 million doses of vaccines from seven pharmaceutical firms, for its population of 38 million.

The pace of infections has accelerated since the Christmas holidays, with more than 5,600 new cases on Tuesday, bringing the total to 617,065 and more than 16,000 deaths.

Quebec, one of the hardest-hit provinces, reportedly plans to impose a new lockdown starting on Saturday, on the heels of strict measures ordered last month to slow the spread of the COVID-19 illness.

According to the daily La Presse, citing unnamed government sources, Quebec public health officials who are concerned hospitals may be overwhelmed are also pressing for a curfew.

Rejoice Ewodage

Disqus Comments Loading...
Share
Published by
Rejoice Ewodage

Recent Posts

Terrorists Leader Fasagora Killed In Zamfara

Fasagora and his terrorist group, have long been responsible for a series of kidnappings and…

13 mins ago

Japan Leukaemia Survivor Ikee To Swim At Paris Olympics

An 18-year-old Ikee was named MVP of the 2018 Asian Games after claiming six golds…

46 mins ago

Military Declares Eight Wanted Over Murder Of Soldiers

The list was released hours after the slain soldiers were buried in a ceremony attended…

1 hour ago

Four Killed In US Stabbing Spree

Those killed included a 15-year-old girl, a 63-year-old woman and two men aged 49 and…

1 hour ago

Gabon’s Post-Coup Reform Efforts Under Fire

Mounting calls for the dialogue to be postponed or reorganised have been heard from a…

2 hours ago

LP Recommends 2027 Presidential, Abia Gov Tickets Be Reserved For Obi, Otti

LP said had reviewed Obi and Governor Otti's performance and had decided to reserve its…

6 hours ago