Statement from Minister Frost on recent announcement about the delivery of Moderna vaccine to the territories

Minister Frost released the following statement:

"We are happy to hear that the Moderna vaccine is closer to approvals and that it could arrive in Yukon as early as the end of December.

We will continue to work with our federal colleagues on the delivery logistics so that as soon as the vaccine is approved and ready for distribution, we can begin rolling it out to Yukoners. We have already received three freezers to help with the storage of the vaccine.

We believe the most logical course of action is to send Yukon’s vaccines in one large delivery so that roll out can begin and continue as quickly as possible. We have reassurance that Yukon will receive enough doses to vaccinate 75 per cent of the population in early 2021. That, according to projections from our health team, means every Yukon adult who wants it will be able to be vaccinated in early 2021.

As the federal government determines the final details, we will continue to work on the specifics of vaccine delivery in Yukon as identified in our vaccine strategy. We will begin by making the vaccine available to the most vulnerable Yukoners and those who are at the highest risk.

We have identified priority populations in Yukon including but not limited to:

• residents and staff of long-term care homes, and shelters;
• health care workers;
• people over 80 years of age; and
• Yukoners living in rural and remote communities.

I encourage all Yukoners to continue to practise the Safe 6 and wear a mask. Yukoners should also keep in mind that the vaccine will be a turning point, but it will not be the end of COVID-19 safety precautions. We must all work together to keep each other safe."