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Appointments for COVID-19 vaccines on hold due to shortage

Last Updated Jan 19, 2021 at 6:18 am MDT

EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – The Alberta government is pausing appointments on the first does of the COVID-19 vaccine saying the province is running out.

Premier Jason Kenney provided an update Monday morning saying that recent disruptions to the manufacturing of the Pfizer vaccine led to the difficult decision.

“Accordingly, no more new first dose appointments will be accepted and some first dose appointments already booked will be rescheduled over the coming days to accommodate limited supply. Doses have been allocated to ensure second doses are available for committed appointments,” said Kenney.

“Our ability to get needed vaccine in the arms of Albertans is limited by the number of vaccine doses we have on hand. It is frustrating to see this happen while other countries, like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Israel have received significantly larger quantities of vaccines.”

Last week, the U.S. drug-maker said it was temporarily reducing deliveries of the vaccines because of issues with its European production lines.

That prompted Alberta to delay vaccination of priority workers in Phase 1 and plans to immunize seniors over the age of 75.

WATCH: Federal vaccine delay may impact Alberta rollout

 

Unfortunately, those plans have been put on hold along with the planned vaccination of First Nations and MĂ©tis people.

On the positive side, Kenney said the first doses of the vaccine have been given to all 357 long term care homes and supported living centres in the province.

“Alberta Health Services has administered nearly 90,000 doses to eligible health-care workers and staff and residents in continuing care around the province to date. We continue to lead the large provinces in the pace of COVID-19 vaccination.”

Kenney said Alberta has the capacity to deliver 50,000 doses per week and hoped to raise that number to 200,000 doses by March.

-With files from CityNews EdmontonÂ