National

Canada under pressure to change Pfizer doses label

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Jan, 2021 06:59 PM

Canada's procurement department is scrambling to source smaller syringes for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, anticipating that Health Canada will agree to change the label to say each vial of the precious substance contains six doses instead of five.

Pfizer formally requested the change Jan. 22, and Health Canada's regulatory team that approved the vaccine for use Dec. 9 is now considering the new material.

If the label is amended, Pfizer will ship fewer vials to Canada overall because Canada's contract with the vaccine-maker is based on 40 million doses, not vials.

That sixth dose was a surprise find by medical professionals who found using special syringes could extract the extra dose.

But those syringes are not common and have become the latest COVID-19 hot commodity after both Europe and the United States agreed to the label change earlier this month.

A spokeswoman for Procurement Minister Anita Anand says more than 87 million of the smaller syringes have been ordered but can't say how many have been delivered or when the rest will arrive.

We share the urgency of Cdns to ensure vaccine access as rapidly as possible.🇨🇦 is on track to receive doses for all Cdns who wish to be vaccinated by end of Sept.

I am in touch with Pfizer on a daily basis incl. this evening. We're on it & will stay on it until the job is done. https://t.co/z6re02grNm pic.twitter.com/bKQDQC4UWQ
— Anita Anand (@AnitaOakville) January 22, 2021

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

A quick look at British Columbia's COVID-19 reopening plan

The B.C. government has outlined its plan to reopen the BC economy Mid May during the COVID-19 pandemic under guidelines aimed at controlling the spread of the virus.

A quick look at British Columbia's COVID-19 reopening plan

Vancouver Police make substantial drugs & weapons seizure

Vancouver Police have seized nearly $3 million worth of street drugs and eight handguns after a four-month investigation into the flow of illicit opioids into Metro Vancouver. Early in 2020, the VPD’s Organized Crime Section launched Project Transit to target offenders engaged in the distribution of illegal opioids.

Vancouver Police make substantial drugs & weapons seizure

No school-made gifts for mom this year. Dads, get to work

At first, the Facebook meme made me laugh: “What are dads going to do when they realize their kids aren’t bringing home any Mother’s Day gifts from school?” Then it hit me: What AM I going to do?! This Mother’s Day, of course, is different.

No school-made gifts for mom this year. Dads, get to work

Canada to do millionth COVID-19 test but numbers still falling short

Canada is on track to complete its millionth test for COVID-19 sometime in the next 24 hours even as the country's biggest province continues to struggle to hit its own testing target. Dr. Theresa Tam, the chief public health officer of Canada, reported that as of Wednesday morning, more than 970,000 tests had been completed nationwide since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.

Canada to do millionth COVID-19 test but numbers still falling short

Ceremony to be held today for service members who died in helicopter crash

The Canadian military is to hold a special ramp ceremony today at Canadian Forces Base Trenton to repatriate remains of a service member and honour all six who died in a helicopter crash off the coast of Greece. The Cyclone helicopter carrying six Armed Forces members crashed into the Ionian Sea on April 29.

Ceremony to be held today for service members who died in helicopter crash

COVID-19 pandemic hammers job market, but there are 'opportunities,' say analysts

In the worst employment market in decades, job hunters need to prepare for what will inevitably be a video interview, say employers and job market experts who suggest there are opportunities out there. Statistics Canada reported more than one million Canadians lost their jobs at the onset of the COVID-19 crisis in March, which is eight times worse than the previous one-month record during the financial meltdown in January 2009.