First doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine arrive in Nunavut

The first doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Nunavut Wednesday on a scheduled Canadian North flight, though it will be another week before the territory announces details on how theywill be distributed.

Nunavut officials confirmed that the territory received6,000 doses in this first, two-partshipment to the territory, a number Premier Joe Savikataaqlast week said he expected when the vaccine was approved for use by Health Canada. Half of the doses were sent to Iqaluit and half were sent to Rankin Inlet, where they are scheduled to arrive shortly.

Today, Savikataaqsaid the vaccine arrival marks an important step in fighting COVID-19.

"We still have to social distance and all the public health measures we have to do, but today is a very good day and I'm so glad the vaccine is here now for Nunavummiut," hesaid.

Yukon and Northwest Territories each received 7,200 doses on Mondayand plan to begin vaccinating residents early in the new year.

The Nunavut government saidit is planning a newsconference forJan. 5to announce the details of its vaccine rollout plan.

"Three thousanddoses have arrived here in Iqaluit, with another 3,000 on their way to Rankin [that]should be there sometime later today. This is an excellent beginning in getting back to a normal life for Nunavummiut," Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Michael Patterson said after the vaccines had arrived at the airport.

"We've been told to expect shipments roughly every three weeks." he said.

Last week, he said distribution wouldn't take place until the first weeks of January. He said elders and workers in long-term care will be vaccinated first.

Savikataaq said on Twitterthat it could take "weeks ormonths" for the territory to vaccinate other adult residents.

The federal government has promised enough doses of the Moderna vaccine which is being prioritized for remote locations to inoculate up to 75 per cent of the territory's adult population in the first three months of 2021.

The Moderna vaccine can be shipped and stored at regular freezer temperatures, while the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine must be kept at 70 C to remain stable. Nunavutdoesn't have the infrastructure needed to store and deliver the Pfizer vaccine toits 25 fly-in communities.

There are three active cases of COVID-19 in Nunavutas of Wednesday. That's down from eight cases on Monday, when a new case was announced in Whale Cove.

There are currently two active cases in Whale Cove and one active case in Arviat.Travel in and out of those communities is currently restricted.

No new cases were reported Wednesday, Savikataaq said on social media.

According to the Government of Nunavut, there have been 266cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut in totaland one deathsince the first case was announced in Sanikiluaq in early November.