Grey-Bruce to receive its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines this week

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has approved the release of two initial shipments of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to the Grey-Bruce region through the Grey Bruce Health Unit (GBHU). 

“With the province sending us this shipment of the vaccine, we are now able to look forward to hammering the first nail in the coffin of this pandemic,” said Dr. Ian Arra, medical officer of health for GBHU, in a press release from the health unit.

The first of these shipments will be arriving this week and the second shipment will be arriving the week of Jan. 25.  In total, the two shipments will contain approximately 1,000 doses of vaccine, stated the release.

As directed by the Ministry, the allocation of this initial quantity of vaccine will be limited, exclusively to residents, staff and essential workers in long-term care (LTC), using the provincial Ethical Framework for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution.  

Within the provincial framework, the province outlines that the vaccine will be first rolled out in regions with the highest rates of infections, and immunization will focus on healthcare workers and the most vulnerable populations – such as residents, staff, essential caregivers, and other employees of congregate living settings; health care workers, including hospital employees, other staff who work or study in hospitals, and other health care personnel; adults in Indigenous communities, including remote communities where risk of transmission is high; and adult recipients of chronic home health care.

The health unit stated will follow the provincial framework, ensuring those in Grey and Bruce Counties most at risk are first in line to receive the vaccine.  

Due to the limited quantity of 1,000 doses, not all residents and staff will be able to receive the vaccine immediately, however, as more shipments arrive, this priority population will continue to be first in line.

Currently, the province is in phase one of the vaccine rollout. The general public will not be eligible to receive the vaccine until phase three of the program, which has not been assigned a start date. The province notes phase three will begin when there is an adequate supply of the vaccine. As such, GBHU is asking the public to avoid calling in an attempt to schedule vaccinations at this time.

“The vaccine is key to ending this pandemic, and allowing all of us to get back our normal lives. Until then, it is critical we continue to practice as we have been; this is not the time to let our guard down,” Arra added.