N.W.T. expects 51K Moderna COVID-19 vaccine doses in first 3 months of 2021

The Northwest Territories is expecting thousands of COVID-19 vaccine doses for its adult residents in the new year.

Between January and March of 2021, the territory expects to receive around 51,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine — enough to distribute to 75 per cent of the territory's residents aged 18 and older.The territory's Health Minister Julie Green made the announcement in a virtual news conference Friday.

"I know that residents are anxious to confirm who will be a priority in the first round, along with how and when it will be delivered. Work is well underway confirming this detail for immunization in each N.W.T. community," she said.

The territory is creating vaccine teams made up of nurses and support staff which will travel to communities to help local health care professionals deliver it to residents, Green said.

Registered nurses will also receive specialized COVID-19 vaccine training.

The two-dose Moderna vaccine still needs approval form Health Canada. While the Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine has been approved, it's not likely to reach the territories any time soon because of the logistical challenges distributing it.

The Moderna vaccine needs to be stored at –20 C, compared to the Pfizer vaccine which needs to be stored at much colder temperatures. 

Green said specialized freezers are on their way from the federal government with enough capacity to store the entire territory's Moderna doses. They will be installed at the Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife and at the Inuvik Regional Hospital. Portable freezers have also been ordered to assist with transporting the vaccine to the communities.

In the coming weeks, the government will collaborate with Indigenous and community governments, health authorities and the Joint Task Force North (JTFN) to finalize plans, she added. JTFN is working with the territory's health department to facilitate the logistical and operational planning.  

No changes to travel restrictions

"The vaccine does not mean self isolation requirements and travel restrictions will be lifted immediately," Green said.

The government update comes as the territory's Health minister extended a territory-wide public health emergency on Friday, on the advice of Dr. Kami Kandola, the territory's chief public health officer.

Kandola, who also spoke at the news conference, said until there is an increase in vaccination levels and a decrease in the risk of infection — not just in the territory, but across the country — public health orders will remain in place.

"Until we reach that point, I'm asking residents to hold on just a little bit longer, even after vaccination begins. We still need to keep up with the healthy habits that have worked so well up until this point," she said.

The N.W.T.'s vaccine strategy will prioritize those at risk of severe disease and those at high risk of bringing COVID-19 back into the territory, she said. The territory will also consider key populations recommended by Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization and listen to perspectives from Indigenous and community governments.

"Once we receive Health Canada approval, northerners can feel confident that this vaccine is safe," Kandola said. "Canada has a rigorous regulatory system that ensures vaccines are safe, effective and of high quality before they're approved."

When asked, Kandola said the territory would not make the vaccine mandatory.

Nunavut, Yukon detail vaccine plan

Earlier on Friday, Nunavut's chief public health officer said elders will be first to get the COVID-19 vaccine in his territory by the early new year, followed by other priority groups, like front line workers and staff in long term care homes.

On Thursday, Yukon's premier said all adults in that territory who want the vaccine will receive it for free, within the first three months of 2021. Yukon's Health minister said the territory will get 50,400 Moderna doses by the end of March.

In all three territories, people over the age of 18 will be able to get vaccinated.