COVID-19: Ottawa buys 1.5 million tablets against the virus

Ottawa has signed two agreements to receive 1.5 million tablets to treat the worst symptoms of COVID-19.

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The first deal, with Pfizer, which has already supplied most of the vaccines received in the country, will provide millions of arrivals for these oral treatments, Supply Minister Philomena Tassi confirmed on Friday.

The latter is engaged with the Merck company, with which Ottawa has agreed to the first delivery of 500,000 capsules, with the possibility of obtaining another 500,000 if required.

“While vaccines play a key role in preventing the spread and severity of cases, other treatment options are needed to help reduce the COVID – 19 burden,” said Marwan Acker, President and CEO of Merck Canada.

None of these products have yet been approved by Health Canada, but note that the government is preparing to deliver them to the provinces as soon as the public health is given the green light.

2.9 million doses for children

Canada has developed a total of 2.9 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine specifically for children 5 to 11 years of age.

Minister Tassie declared that the number of doses currently in stock was “sufficient to give immunity to all eligible children across the country”.

These COVID-19 vaccines have messenger RNA concentrations three times smaller than vaccines for individuals 12 years of age and older.

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