Increase in Pfizer-Biontech vaccine shipments 'very good news,' says medical officer of health

The Region of Waterloo is expecting an increase in shipments of the Pfizer-Biontech COVID-19 vaccine over the next two weeks, and more stable schedules for shipments from then on.

"It does give me a lot of hope, it is very good news," said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the region's medical officer of health, at a media briefing Friday.

The news comes following "a lot of ups and downs" in recent months as vaccine shipments were delayed or cancelled. 

Now, Wang said, "we know that the supply is fairly stable now, at least of the Pfizer vaccine."

Other parts of the country are also expecting a boost in vaccines. Public Services and Procurement Minister Anita Anand said a total of 4.5 million mRNA shots — 3.4 million from Pfizer, 1.1 million from Moderna — are set to arrive before the Victoria Day long weekend.

With the vaccine supply ramping up, virtually all Canadians will have access to at least one vaccine dose by June.

While the long-term forecast is hopeful, Wang said people in Waterloo region do need to keep up public health precautions a while longer.  

"The next several weeks will continue to be very important in terms of keeping up with public health precautions," she said.