Vaccine rollout continues
Dowling, Morrison, King immunized Thursday at clinic in Charlottetown
The province’s chief public health officer was smiling from ear to ear on Thursday after she received her first dose of vaccine.
Dr. Heather Morrison, Premier Dennis King and Marion Dowling, P.E.I.’s chief nursing officer, were all given the Pfizer vaccine at the mass vaccination clinic in Charlottetown, the same product everyone at the clinic was receiving on Thursday.
“I’m excited because I feel like I’m doing my part,’’ Morrison told the media afterwards. “I think I share a sense of relief. We’ve all worked so hard, for so long, as Islanders, as we take this journey through the COVID pandemic. This is one step … but the excitement is really about having so many Islanders every week get a little more protected. … I was almost a little emotional when it finally happened and I will be equally as excited when I get my second dose.’’
King admitted he was a bit nervous walking into the clinic, explaining that the COVID-19 pandemic has been the biggest topic in the world for the past 14 months.
“The anticipation was much worse that the actual event,’’ King said. “I was surprised. I’m not a huge fan of needles in general, but it felt like a little pinch; like a mosquito bite. (The staff) here really make you feel welcome and comfortable. It was really amazing.’’
Dowling said a few things were going through her head before and after she got the shot, mostly about how far things have come since the first vaccines were administered in P.E.I. in December.
“I was thinking about how when we started with this vaccine we were keeping it in low-temperature freezers and (how) we had to give it at the site it was delivered to,’’ Dowling said. “(Since then), we’ve moved to bigger sites and now these large clinics to increase the access and Islanders continue to show up and step up. It’s a great day today.’’
According to the province’s website, as of Wednesday, 49,008 Islanders had received at least one dose of the vaccine while 10,750 Islanders have been fully vaccinated. A total of 59,758 doses of vaccine have been administered.
Those vaccines will now be made available to a new age group.
Health Canada announced this week that Pfizer has authorized its product
“I’m not a huge fan of needles in general, but it felt like a little pinch.’ Premier Dennis KIng
for those aged 12 to 15.
Dowling and Morrison will be meeting today to discuss the rollout plan for that age group.
“My hope is that we can vaccinate 12- to 15-year-olds and make sure they have both doses of vaccine before they go back to school in September,’’ Morrison said. “That is certainly a very realistic goal.’’
The province is expecting a big increase in the mRNA vaccines in the next couple of weeks. More than 83,000 doses of Pfizer and 46,000 doses of Moderna are scheduled to arrive.
Dowling said the mass clinics have the capacity to deal with it.
“We are well set up here,’’ Dowling said, referring to the Charlottetown Trade Centre as an example, “and we have additional capacity that we can create in this space.’’
The chief nursing officer said the goal remains to give all eligible Islanders their first dose by the end of June and the second dose by September.
“We are getting there,’’ Dowling said. “We are getting closer. I’m very grateful for everyone who has come forward.’’
King said he hopes inviting the media along on Thursday serves as a bit of an incentive to those who still might be a little hesitant to get vaccinated.
“I would encourage all Islanders, when their turn comes up, to get registered, get on the list and get your vaccination,’’ the premier said.