With Canada now on the United States’ no-fly list, Patty Hajdu is acknowledging we have more work to do.
The federal Health Minister admits the pandemic is not slowing down in many countries, including ours.
“We are struggling in Ontario with a crisis of healthcare, potentially, Quebec is also being very cautious around their healthcare system, and it indicates to me that Canada is not out of the woods yet,” she says.
Hajdu adds that this is not the time to ease up on public health measures yet.
As the vaccination rollout continues, she is optimistic about a Montreal-made COVID-19 vaccine that’s been submitted for Health Canada approval.
Hajdu says while the company Medicago still needs to finish its application and wait for the green light, this is an exciting development.
Hajdu says Medicago is one of seven companies that the vaccine task force has singled out.
“To have a Canadian company in that lineup is not only good for Canadians and Canadian workers and industry and research, but it’s also really good for the security of a vaccine supply that’s home-grown and domestic,” she points out.
She says the company is aiming for “rolling regulatory approval.”
