The federal government has entered an agreement with AstraZeneca and Oxford University to obtain up to 20 million doses of another COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
AstraZeneca joins a number of other companies working to develop a vaccine, including Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson&Johnson.
Prime Minister Trudeau also announced a $440-million contribution to the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility, known as COVAX.
“This pandemic can’t be solved by any one country alone because to eliminate the virus anywhere we need to eliminate it everywhere. That’s why Canada is helping ensure that vaccines are distributed quickly and fairly around the world by supporting Gavi’s COVAX facility and advanced market commitment,” he says.
Trudeau says at least half of that funding will be directed toward securing 15 million doses for Canadians.
Procurement Minister Anita Anand says they are also procuring the supplies needed to manufacture and package vaccines, as well as things like syringes, vials and swabs.
“The government of Canada has already secured access to vaccine candidates and therapeutics while investing in manufacturing here at home. As I said before when a vaccine is ready, Canada will be ready,” she says.
