Some 2nd COVID-19 vaccines will need to be rescheduled, say N.W.T. officials

Officials in the N.W.T. say that though they are on track to get people their second doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, some people can expect to have theirs rescheduled.

Delays in shipping of the Moderna vaccine have led to reduced supplies in the territories.

N.W.T. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola and territorial medical director Dr. AnneMarie Pegg took questions about COVID-19 on Thursday morning during CBC's The Trailbreaker on CBC Radio One.

Pegg said on Thursday that at this point, officials do not foresee any problems with people getting their second dose of the vaccine within the recommended timeframe of 42 days.

However, she did say that some people who received their first dose might have their second dose date moved in the coming days.

Some people who got a first dose in various communities did have a date and a time written down on a card for a second dose. She said some of those people had already booked their second appointment.

Pegg said people in the communities should call their local health centre if they have any questions about their appointment date, but that people in bigger centres such as Yellowknife might be getting a call from public health to change their appointment.

"Our vaccine supply has been dynamic, and so some of those people who actually have specific times may receive a call in the coming days to reschedule that appointment."

Pegg said the four week time period is the earliest date they could receive their second dose.

"We will be scheduling clinics in order that people receive a second dose ... within that 28 to 42 day window."

If you have an appointment but don't get a call, Pegg said you should keep that appointment.

Missed the call-in show? Watch it here:

The N.W.T. also announced 11 more community vaccination clinics for residents to receive their second dose of the Moderna vaccine this week. Yellowknife also saw 500 new appointments for the vaccine this week, and expanded the priority lists.

Dr. Kandola said Thursday that the territory is expecting its fourth shipment of the Moderna vaccine on Feb. 22.

"What we're waiting for is the amount allocated. That information should arrive shortly, and as soon as we have that we will relay that to the public," she said. 

Since the last call-in show, a COVID-19 outbreak shut down operations at the Gahcho Kué diamond mine, after six workers tested positive.

Kandola said at her weekly news briefing on Wednesday that she believes the outbreak has stabilized.

She said her office is working closely with DeBeers, the owner of the mine, to manage the situation. She said all 330 workers at the mine have been tested.

A containment order in Fort Liard, which had been put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 after seeing a cluster of cases, was also lifted.

As of Wednesday evening, there were seven active cases in the territory; two are residents and the remaining five are non-residents.