Yukon aims to vaccinate 75 per cent of adult population by end of March

WHITEHORSE

Yukon officials say they’re aiming to vaccinate three-quarters of the territory’s adult population against COVID-19 by the end of March.

The territory unveiled parts of its vaccine rollout plan, which includes two mobile vaccination units and a clinic at the Yukon Convention Centre in Whitehorse starting Jan. 18.

The vaccine will be delivered to remote communities in the mobile clinics, dubbed Balto and Togo after two dogs that were part of the sled team which delivered the diphtheria serum to Alaska in 1925.

The territory says priority will be given to people working and living in long-term care homes, group homes and shelters as well as health-care workers, elderly people and people living in rural and remote communities.

Premier Sandy Silver says the goal is to have 75 per cent of the territory’s adult population vaccinated by the end of March, but he adds the figure may change.

Yukon has reported nine cases of COVID-19 since the new year.

Chief medical officer of health Dr. Brendan Hanley says he wouldn’t be surprised if the territory sees more cases due to the holiday season and people returning from travel.