Op VECTOR (CAF support to the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines)

CAF/COVID-19

Question

How will the Canadian Armed Forces support vaccine delivery under Op VECTOR?

• The Canadian Armed Forces continues to support the whole-of-government response to the COVID-19 pandemic and protect Canadians.
• Operation VECTOR is the Canadian Armed Forces contribution to supporting vaccine distribution across Canada.
• This will complement federal, provincial, territorial, and local resources with well-trained military personnel, logistics, and specialized equipment.
• For example, National Defence stands ready to support the Government by:
  • Providing transportation and logistics to bring vaccines to Canada and distribute them domestically;
  • Transporting medical equipment and health care professionals to remote communities; and,
  • Providing warehousing, distribution, and immunization facilities with logistical staff.
• The Canadian Armed Forces has also deployed planners to assist Public Health with logistics and planning for the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine.
• The Canadian Armed Forces is also providing planning assistance to Indigenous Services Canada for the vaccine roll-out to Indigenous communities.
• National Defence will continue to work with whole-of-government partners to ensure safe and effective vaccine roll-out.

Quick Facts

• November 27, 2020: CDS issues Operation Planning Directive announcing Operation VECTOR – the CAF support to the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.
• November 27, 2020: Major-General Dany Fortin is seconded to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and named Vice President Logistics and Operations at PHAC.
  • Brigadier-General Simon Bernard and Brigadier-General Krista Brodie, and additional CAF personnel, are currently seconded to PHAC as part of this team as well.
• December 12 – 15, 2020: the Royal Canadian Air Force delivered five medical-grade low-temperature freezers to two Northern territories.
• January 14 – 17, 2021: CAF activated 5 Canadian Rangers in Nain, Newfoundland to assist with transporting vulnerable persons to vaccination clinics.
• January 20, 2021: CAF will activate 5 Canadian Rangers in Watson Lake, Yukon to assist the Yukon Vaccine Rollout Team with the teardown of a vaccination site upon completions of its use.
• CAF planners are also operating alongside Indigenous Services Canada to ensure vaccines are administered in a timely manner to Indigenous communities.
• The Canadian Armed Forces now has Liaison Officers embedded with Public Health Agency Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, and Public Safety Canada.
• Additional support has been mobilized for the Vaccine Rollout Task Force and the PHAC National Emergency Strategic Supply depots.
• Cost of Operation VECTOR: National Defence tracks the costs of the operation as they unfold and weighs them against any savings and only seeks reimbursement for the delta, similar to Operation LASER.

Responsible Principals: Strategic Joint Staff, Assistant Deputy Minister (Public Affairs) January 19, 2020

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