The Manitoba government has agreed to purchase two million doses of a new prairie made mRNA vaccine currently in clinical trials.
Alberta-based Providence Therapeutics is developing the vaccine which is similar to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. It is expected to be approved for use by Health Canada later this year.
Under the deal Manitoba will get the first 200,000 doses of the new vaccine as soon as it is approved. The additional doses would be delivered on a yet to be announced schedule. The province has also negotiated a best-price guarantee that ensures the price will be no higher than any other government receives.
“The number one limiting factor in administering life-saving immunizations to Canadians is the lack of a secure domestic vaccine supply made here in Canada,” said Premier Brian Pallister. “Today, we are reliant on the federal government buying vaccines from pharmaceutical companies located offshore. The result has been Canadians receiving needed COVID-19 vaccines slower than almost 50 other countries, with weekly disruptions in supply.”
Providence Therapeutics plans on manufacturing the vaccine and filling the vials at a Winnipeg manufacturing facility operated by Emergent BioSolutions.
“Manitobans are Canadians first. We are investing not just for ourselves, but for all Canadians,” said Pallister. “Building a secure, made-in-Canada vaccine supply will put Canadians at the head of the line to get a COVID vaccine, where we belong.”
Pallister said he has written to every other premier as well as the prime minister inviting them to join the initiative.
© News4.ca 2021
