QUESTION PERIOD — Health
COVID-19 Vaccine
July 27, 2020
This question comes from my colleague, Senator Doug Black:
Many countries are participating in the international COVAX facility to secure a supply of COVID-19 vaccines. Alternatively, other countries have engaged in advance purchasing agreements.
Can you please advise on the status of securing a vaccine and a sufficient supply for Canadians?
Will the government participate in the COVAX facility?
Has the government approached any manufacturers about advance purchasing of vaccines for COVID-19?
Thank you for your question. The government, I’m advised, is moving ahead in a comprehensive plan to invest in the development and supply of an eventual vaccine as well as other promising treatments.
The government is investing $600 million to support clinical trials to ensure Canada has the biomanufacturing capacity to supply a vaccine to the Canadian market. This will better position Canada to rapidly access a vaccine when one does become available, and the government will continue to work hard to develop other countermeasures to protect the health and safety of Canadians.
I’m not in a position to answer the specific questions that our colleague Senator Black (Alberta) posed. I’ll make some inquiries in that regard.
