Canada administered its first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, becoming one of the first countries to do so as part of the global effort against the coronavirus pandemic.
Five health care workers in Ontario were among the first Canadians to receive the vaccine at a Toronto hospital.
Anita Quidangen, a personal support worker who worked during the pandemic at the Rekai Center nursing home in Toronto, received the first dose in Ontario.
“It’s a victory for science,” said Dr. Kevin Smith, president of the University Health Network in Toronto. “Today we are breaking the back of this horrible virus.”
More than 30,000 initial doses from Canada are expected to cross the border on Monday. The government recently amended its contract with Pfizer and BioNTech to receive up to 249,000 doses this month.
“It was very moving for me,” said Federal Minister of Health Patty Hajdu, who attended the first vaccination in Quebec.
Hajdu said Canadians must continue to protect each other.
“It’s a first step. We have a lot to do. These are difficult times, ”he said.
Ontario reported 1,940 new cases of coronavirus on Monday and 23 deaths, while Quebec announced 1,620 new cases and 25 deaths.
Canada’s federal health regulator approved the vaccine for use last week.
Ontario received 6,000 doses of the vaccine on Sunday evening and planned to inoculate about 2,500 health workers.
Residents of two Quebec households are among the first to receive the vaccine in the province, followed by healthcare workers there.
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