Premier Blaine Higgs. (Image: CPAC video capture)
Premier Blaine Higgs says the COVID-19 vaccine rollout presents ‘a light at the end of the tunnel,’ but that doesn’t mean New Brunswickers can let their guard down when it comes to pandemic guidelines.
The premier says a new strain of the virus that’s become prevalent in the United Kingdom, and rising caseloads around the country, show the threat of the virus has not yet subsided.
“I know that many people think ‘well, the vaccines have started.’ Let’s put that into perspective,” Higgs said at a news conference Tuesday.
Two doses of the vaccine are needed for inoculation, meaning around 1.5 million doses will be needed to vaccinate every New Brunswicker. The province has received just 6,000 doses to date.
“We don’t have a timeline of when the other (doses) will be delivered,” Higgs said. “We’re hopeful, we’re optimistic, and yes – we’re so close. But close is not the answer. When we reach the finish line, and we’ve reached the level of vaccinations necessary, that’s when it’s time to celebrate.”
At Tuesday’s briefing, Higgs’ call to keep Christmas gatherings small was echoed by the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Jennifer Russell, and Health Minister Dorothy Shephard.
“We are so lucky in New Brunswick to be able to have these small holiday gatherings,” Shephard said. “In so many other parts of Canada, and around the world, getting together is just not an option this year.”
Shephard also said the province is expecting shipments of the Moderna vaccine, which is in the final stages of review by Health Canada, if it does receive approval.
