COVID-19 vaccine arrives at Ottawa Hospital

The first shipment of aCOVID-19 vaccine has arrived in the capital, The Ottawa Hospital announcedMonday afternoon.

The shipment contains 3,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which will protect 1,500 people against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.Each recipient must get two doses21 days apartfor full protection.

Earlier on Monday, apersonal support worker at the Rekai Centre at Sherbourne Place in Torontobecame the first person in the province to receive a dose.

Vaccinations in Ottawa are planned to start at The Ottawa Hospital onTuesday, begnning with staff at long-term care homes and other high-risk environments.

"While our fight against COVID-19 isn't over, this is an important step in keeping our community safe," said a statement on Twitter from The Ottawa Hospital.

According to Health Canada, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is 95 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19 one week after the second dose.

Ontarioexpects to receive 2.4 million doses, enough to vaccinate 1.2 million people,during the first three months of 2021, with priority given to health-care workers, long-term care home residents, caregivers, adults in Indigenous communities, retirement home residents and people with chronic health issues who receive home care.

Vaccines will becomemore broadly available to the general public in April.