Although the Ford government identified vulnerable residents of long term care the priority for getting COVID vaccines first, the head of the province’s vaccine task force acknowledges it may not be possible due to the logistics with the Pfizer vaccine, the first to arrive.

“We may not be able to get into long term care homes immediately,” General Rick Hillier told reporters. “And if we can’t we’ll get the workers in those homes to come to the vaccination site where the vaccine is delivered and get the health care workers and essential care givers.”

More than 120 hospitals have been identified for having freezer capabilities for the Pfizer vaccine but the Ford government is still in talks to see if vaccine can be moved and for how long.

“The Pfizer vaccine has to be stored at minus 80 degrees,” said Health Minister Christine Elliott.

Meantime, General Rick Hillier urges patience as phase one is expected to take up to three months, phase two will take up to nine months and phase three will look like flu vaccines rollout, where you can get it at the pharmacy.

Hillier expects the province will receive 2.4 million doses during the first three months of 2021.