By Canadian Press

Canada says first COVID-19 vaccine for refugees in Jordan offers glimmer of hope

Jan 15, 2021 | 12:06 PM

OTTAWA — Canada’s international development minister says the world’s first inoculation of a refugee with a COVID-19 vaccine this week is an important milestone in ending the pandemic everywhere.

Karina Gould tells The Canadian Press that inoculating the world’s most vulnerable people offers a glimmer of hope that the pandemic can be brought under control everywhere.

A woman living in the northern Jordanian city of Irbid who had fled northern Iraq became the first United Nations registered refugee to receive the vaccine on Thursday.

Before the pandemic Canada committed $2.1 billion in security, humanitarian and development funds to help Jordan and neighbouring Lebanon cope with the massive influx of refugees they face due to the crises in Syria and Iraq.

Since the pandemic, Canada has committed more than $1 billion to international efforts to buy vaccine doses for low- and middle-income countries.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

7h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner

Dec 06, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

CHAT News producer makes 'emotional' return to Medicine Hat's old arena

Dec 06, 2024

Rema Jamous Imseis, the Canadian representative for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, says if refugees aren’t vaccinated they run the risk of infecting people in their host national populations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 15, 2021.

The Canadian Press