Batches of coronavirus vaccine doses are now arriving at cities across Canada. Following Health Canada’s recent approval of Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine, UPS Canada transported the first batch of doses to the country on December 13, 2020.

The first batch of doses of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine have arrived in Canada. pic.twitter.com/xSvwkRROKo

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) December 14, 2020

Dominic Porporino, UPS Canada’s President, says, “as we begin to deliver the first of 249,000 doses to Canadians, we reflect on how honoured we are to be chosen for this important endeavour. Delivering hope is something that we do every day and we are ready to make one of the most important deliveries in our 45 year history in Canada.”

Photo credit: UPS Canada

Helping to clear the way for the safe and rapid delivery of coronavirus vaccines, NAV CANADA, in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), European air navigation service providers and airlines, are working together to identify aircraft carrying vaccines. Taking this additional step will help to ensure that flights travelling across several jurisdictions are provided with additional support, where required, in a consistent manner across agencies.

When needed, NAV CANADA will give these aircraft priority takeoffs, landings and flight paths. Special arrangements are also being made with airports to ensure they are given rapid gate access. This is another great example of a collaboration effort between different aviation stakeholders, including airports and airlines.

Vanessa Robertson, National Manager, ATS Operational Procedures & Proficiency at NAV CANADA, is helping to coordinate the Company’s response to COVID-19 and says she’s honoured to play a small role in helping to build a bridge to recovery.

“NAV CANADA has been working throughout the pandemic to keep Canada’s skies open and safe,” says Robertson. “Our employees have done a tremendous job at adapting and overcoming unprecedented challenges and we feel fortunate to help with this new chapter of the country’s response to the virus.”

As recently announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada has secured access to 20 million Pfizer doses and 40 million Moderna doses, with options to buy thousands more from each manufacturer if needed.

“We have been looking forward to this day for months,” says Robertson. “Our staff is ready to provide safe and reliable services to planes carrying doses of COVID-19 vaccines from coast-to-coast-to-coast.”

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the first vaccine deliveries across Canada:

Honoured to witness the historic moment of the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine arriving in Newfoundland and Labrador this morning with Health Minister @Johnrockdoc. This is an exciting day for our province, as we implement our government’s COVID-19 vaccination program. pic.twitter.com/IGQ69r2nbs

— Andrew Furey (@FureyAndrew) December 15, 2020

The vaccine has arrived! Nova Scotia received its first allotment of 1,950 doses of the Pfizer-BioNtech #COVID19 vaccine today. pic.twitter.com/dW7vuCEOWC

— Nova Scotia Gov. (@nsgov) December 15, 2020

NEW: First photos of the #COVID19 vaccine arriving to Winnipeg’s @YWGairport earlier today. (📷: @CanBorderPRA) pic.twitter.com/plkw3kXjXA

— ChrisD.ca (@ChrisDca) December 15, 2020

The first COVID-19 vaccine is here in Alberta – a sign of real hope after 9 months of adversity.

Thank you for the hard work and collaboration shown by so many that has made this lifesaving vaccine a reality. pic.twitter.com/loHTVVTMq8

— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) December 15, 2020

A truly historic day in Canada’s fight against #COVID19 as vaccine shipments first arrived last night @flyyhm with Minister Anand and @cathiepuckering on site to welcome this important flight. Thanks to @UPS_Canada and @CanBorder in their role to #DeliverWhatMatters #HamOnt 🇨🇦 https://t.co/kKjwZhVqMH pic.twitter.com/FuCvMzGNV6

— Hamilton International Airport (YHM) (@flyyhm) December 14, 2020

Feature image photo credit: Canada Border Services Agency’s Prairie Region.

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