The country now has reported 352,778 cases and 11,799 deaths total.

'The biggest conversation now should be around planning,' said one expert.

The data suggests that those aged over 70, who are at higher risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19, could build robust immunity.

Medicago says the side effects were generally mild to moderate and short in duration.

A University of Alberta professor says determining who would get the vaccination is just the first of many steps that need to happen in Canada for a large-scale program to successfully beat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Canada is making progress toward a vaccine, but the country's chief science advisor says the novel coronavirus could still overwhelm some hospitals.

The Canadian government will sign on to a global vaccine procurement program and by week's end hopes to announce how much money it will pledge to the cause.

There are currently 34 vaccine candidates in various clinical trial phases, including one in Canada, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).