COVID-19 vaccine delays bring changes to Wellington Dufferin Guelph rollout

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health said Wednesday it will no longer receive an expected Pfizer vaccine delivery on Feb. 1 as a result of production delays.

To deal with the unexpected gap, public health said it is pausing first-dose vaccinations for staff in long-term care and retirement homes. Those who have already gotten their first dose will still receive their second, but at a slightly longer interval.

Public health said its priority is still to vaccinate residents, staff and essential caregivers at long-term care and retirement homes, along with those who need a second dose, as soon as possible.

So far, 4,407 people in the area have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Public health said it expects all residents of long-term care and retirement homes will be vaccinated by Jan. 27.