The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is pleased to announce that in addition  to priority groups already offered the COVID-19 vaccine in the Northwest Territories (NWT),  residents 18 years of age and older in Inuvik and Hay River will now also be offered the Moderna vaccine. Additionally, residents 50 years of age and older in Yellowknife can also book their appointments starting today. 

To date, close to 20,000 doses (first and second combined) of the COVID-19 vaccine have been delivered since rollout began to priority residents on December 31, 2020. The vaccine has been successfully delivered to all 33 NWT communities thanks to careful planning, logistical expertise, and support from local health care staff, vaccine teams, and communities alike.

Following updated guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, vaccine teams will return to communities within the recommended time frame for second doses of vaccine for those who received first doses.

The GNWT encourages residents to check the vaccine schedule frequently to avoid delays getting their second dose: www.nthssa.ca/covid-vaccine.

NWT residents who would like to book their appointment can do so through the following methods:

• Inuvik residents 18 years of age and older, call 867-777-7246.
• Hay River residents 18 years of age and older, call 867-874-8400.
• Yellowknife residents 50 years of age and older, call 867-767-9120 or book online at https://nthssabookings.simplybook.me/v2/

Vaccines will be offered to the general population in Yellowknife in the coming weeks. This will mark a vaccine offering to all eligible residents, in all communities in the NWT.

Quote

“I am pleased that we continue to be able to expand the priority groups eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the Northwest Territories and I look forward to seeing our territory get to the position where the vaccine is offered to all eligible residents, in all 33 communities.”

- Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services 

Quick facts

• While good immunity develops against the disease about 14 days after the first dose of vaccine, the best and longest immunity comes two weeks after the second dose as first dose is considered a priming dose and the second dose would be the booster.
• Residents who missed their first or second dose can book their vaccine in any NWT community.
• The NWT has received 4 shipments of the Moderna vaccine to date – 35,300 doses total with another 16 300 anticipated in mid-March.
• The number of vaccine doses given in the NWT is updated weekly at www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19

Related links

• GNWT Information and Resources About the COVID-19 Vaccine
• NWT COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Schedule
• Frequently Asked Questions about the COVID-19 Vaccine
• Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine: What you should know
• Immunity for our Communities: The NWT COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy

Media Requests, please contact:

Damien Healy

Manager of Communications

Department of Health and Social Services

Government of the Northwest Territories

Damien_Healy@gov.nt.ca

(867) 767-9052 ext. 49034