The Health Minister says she is disappointed to learn anticipated shipments of a COVID-19 vaccine has been cut short.

The Province of Manitoba has been advised by the federal government that it will be affected by a supply shortage of the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer.

"This is incredibly disappointing news for me as the minister, as I know it is for many Manitobans who see the vaccine as ray of hope among the many losses and challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," Health and Seniors Care Minister Heather Stefanson says in a statement.

Canada is scheduled to receive no doses of the vaccine next week. Canada will be experiencing a month-long shortage from Pfizer, received just over a quarter of its anticipated 417,000 doses.

Stefanson says officials are working on a plan to prepare for the shortage in the campaign.

"Please be assured, we are fully equipped to adjust to the changing circumstances."

Dr. Joss Reimer, medical officer of health, Manitoba Health and Seniors Care, and a member of Manitoba’s COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Task Force, says that the task force is reviewing the next shipment plans. The team will be deciding steps moving forward, seeing as shipments could be cut in half in February. The previous plan was to receive 18,720 doses by the end of January.

"We have to take another look at how many first-dose appointments can be booked, how many second doses are needed to provide full protection and how these plans fit into what now could be a very unpredictable supply in the weeks ahead. We will not sacrifice safety for speed," Reimer says.

The call centre will continue to book appointments until further notice. Reimer says they will share an updated approach with the province.

On Monday, Reimer shared during a press conference that more details on the shortfall will be coming Wednesday. 

There are no changes to the plan for the Moderna vaccines.

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