By Canadian Press

Tam says feds, experts discussing COVID-19 vaccine orders amid concerns of delay

Jul 28, 2020 | 12:01 PM

OTTAWA — Canada’s chief medical officer Dr. Theresa Tam says active discussions are taking place to potentially pre-order COVID-19 vaccine doses for Canadians.

Tam says an independent vaccine task force is advising the government on options for Canada’s choice of vaccine, including exploring the possibility of manufacturing a potential pandemic cure at home.

Tam was addressing concerns that Canadians will have to get in line behind other countries to wait for the COVID-19 vaccine.

One senator and some health-care professionals are asking why Ottawa is delaying a decision on the $35-million pitch by Toronto-based Providence Therapeutics to begin human trials of a new, experimental vaccine technology that has been heavily funded in the United States.

Providence says it could deliver five million doses of a vaccine to Canadians by mid-2021 if its trials bear fruit, but it can’t move forward with testing or manufacturing without funding.

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Tam also says there has been a worrisome rise in COVID-19 infections that may have been fueled by Canada Day parties.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2020.

The Canadian Press