More than half of Canadians have received first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Canada has now administered more than 20 million doses of approved COVID-19 vaccines. Canadians aged 12 and over are now eligible to receive the first dose of the vaccine with Ontario opening vaccine appointments to all adults.

Although 50 percent of Canadians have received one dose, only four percent of Canadians have been fully vaccinated.

Despite getting off to a slow start, MP for Oakville and Minister of Public Services and Procurement Anita Anand announced on Twitter that Canada is now in the top three G20 countries for doses administered.

Canada is taking a significantly different strategy than the other top three nations, the United Kingdom and the United States, by prioritizing first doses rather than getting people fully vaccinated.

The United States has vaccinated nearly 40 percent of its population, and the United Kingdom has fully vaccinated 32 percent of its population. Expediting the contrast is the United States lifting its mask mandates across the country as cases fall. Canadian fans have watched as Americans enjoy sporting events with full capacity during the beginning of the MLB season and the NHL playoffs.

Ontario is still in a significant lockdown with outdoor recreation facilities only opening on Saturday. The provincial government remains optimistic as infection rates continue to fall and vaccination rates continue to rise.

Canada has secured contracts to buy 400 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, more than enough to vaccinate all of Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pledged to donate all excess vaccine doses to developing countries to accelerate the global vaccination effort. The United States has now pledged to share 80 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines with international partners.

Trudeau has previously said that he would like to see 75 percent of Canadians get vaccinated before the land border with the United States can be opened and other international travel restrictions can be lifted. Most estimates put the timeline for that objective in the early fall.