5,300 doses of the Moderna vaccine destined to First Nations

Always Local, Always Free

COVID-19 Vaccine

5,300 doses of the Moderna vaccine destined to First Nations

December 31, 2020

The Manitoba Government says that they expect to receive 7,300 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine this week and when they arrive 5,300 of them will be going to Manitoba First Nations.

“The successful collaboration between the province and First Nations health experts and representatives will ensure equitable access to vaccination treatments for all Manitobans,” said Dr. Joss Reimer, medical officer of health, Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living, and a member of Manitoba’s COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Task Force. “Our shared priority is to distribute vaccine doses, beginning with the Moderna vaccine to protect vulnerable First Nations populations in northern and remote regions of the province.”

The Moderna vaccine is better suited to remote communities than the Pfizer vaccine due to its ability to be stored at higher temperatures. Pfizer requires extremely low temperatures to remain stable and must be stored is special freezers able to reach -80c.