Head of Quebec's vaccination campaign stepping down for health reasons

The bureaucrat spearheadingQuebec's vaccination campaign against COVID-19 is stepping down for health reasons, two weeks after being named to the post.

The Quebec Health Ministry did not specify whatJrme Gagnon's health issue is, but said he will be replaced byDaniel Par.

Par is currently head of the regional health authority for Chaudire-Appalaches. He will be responsible for operations and communications forthe province's vaccination campaign.

Gagnon is anassistant deputy minister for the province'sHealth Ministry.

Dr. Richard Mass, strategic medical advisor to the General Directorate of Public Health, will be responsible for the clinical component.

Health Minister Christian Dub announced yesterday Quebec would be receiving its first 4,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

Those four boxes will be going to two long-term care homes in Quebec City and Montreal and will account for the immunization of 2,000 people.

Another 57,000doses are expected to arrive in the province after Dec. 21 and be distributed in long-term care across Quebec's 16 regions.

The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses to be fully effective and must be stored at80 C to60 C or in a thermal container at 90 C to60 C.