Phase One of Newfoundland and Labrador’s vaccination plan continues to move forward with the first round of the newly-approved Moderna COVID-19 vaccine expected to arrive in Newfoundland and Labrador next week.

The provincial government says remote and isolated Indigenous communities have been prioritized for the shipment of 2,400 doses. The second shipment of 2,400 doses is expected to arrive on the week of January 11.

The Moderna vaccine does not have to be kept at temperatures near -70°C like the Pfizer vaccine, making it the current ideal candidate for delivery to remote communities.

Meanwhile, some 1,900 health care workers in the Eastern Health region will have been vaccinated by day’s end, according to the Department of Health.

Another shipment of Pfizer’s vaccine arrived yesterday and was allocated to the same health care workers—as they are required to get a second dose.

Further shipments are expected to arrive next month and will be distributed to all the regional health authorities for priority groups.

According to ‘Phase One’ of the province’s vaccination plan, priority groups include:

• those in congregate living settings for seniors—including residents, staff, and essential visitors;
• health care workers at high risk of exposure to the virus;
• people 85 years or older; and
• adults in remote or isolated Indigenous communities.