B.C.’s first COVID-19 vaccine doses to arrive this week

B.C. will mark a historic moment this week.

In the next few days, the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will arrive in the province.

1:37 Coronavirus: Moderna vaccine expected to move more quickly

The first batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine arrived in Canada on Sunday evening. The doses will now be sent to 14 distribution sites across the country.

About 4,000 of the 30,000 doses that Canada received will be sent to two sites in the Lower Mainland: one in Metro Vancouver and one in the Fraser Valley.

6:59 Who will get the COVID-19 vaccine first in British Columbia?

The exact locations are not being disclosed due to concerns about sabotage or tampering.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The new Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine must be kept at a temperature of -70 C to remain stable.

2:29 Coronavirus: First batch of COVID-19 vaccines in Canada unloaded at Montreal airport

First in line to receive the vaccine in B.C. will be front-line health workers connected to long-term care and those working in intensive care, emergency rooms, and hospitals where COVID-19 patients are being treated.

Next will be residents of long-term care homes and seniors over the age of 80, followed by different groups, based on vulnerability.

1:56 Coronavirus: Canada ‘charting its path forward toward recovery’ as first COVID-19 vaccines arrive, Anand says

B.C. health officials are hoping to have 400,000 people vaccinated by March.So far, about 460,000 people have been infected with the virus in Canada, with about 13,000 Canadians dying from the disease.