Canada is making COVID-19 vaccines accessible to everyone in the country, regardless of their immigration status, Maple News reports. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has affirmed that vaccines will be distributed equitably to all residents for whom they are approved and recommended, including permanent residents, temporary workers, international students, asylum seekers, and undocumented individuals.
Currently, Canada has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for those aged 16 and older and the Moderna vaccine for those 18 and above. Initial vaccine distribution is prioritized for high-risk populations, including seniors over 70, residents and staff of long-term care homes, healthcare workers, and adults in Indigenous communities.
As more vaccine supplies become available, the rollout will expand to include other groups such as essential workers, residents and staff of congregate living spaces—including migrant worker housing—and remaining healthcare professionals. The federal government is following recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) to guide equitable distribution.
NACI has advised that vaccination programs must address the specific challenges faced by immigrant and refugee populations, who may be at greater risk due to frontline job exposure or travel-related factors. Their recommendations include multilingual education campaigns, culturally competent outreach strategies, and the presence of translators at vaccination clinics.
Provinces have echoed this inclusive message. Quebec and Manitoba have publicly stated that migrants will be eligible for vaccination regardless of status. Similarly, the Northwest Territories has confirmed that any resident with a valid local health card will have access to the Moderna vaccine.
As of January 21, 2021, Canada had received over 935,000 doses of vaccine and administered more than 729,000. However, Pfizer deliveries are projected to fall by approximately 50% over the next month due to global supply challenges, which may temporarily affect the pace of administration.
Despite these hurdles, the federal government aims to make vaccines available to all Canadians—and all residents in Canada who wish to receive one—by September 2021.
This nationwide rollout underscores Canada’s commitment to public health for all, ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against COVID-19.