WHITEHORSE -- Yukon Premier Sandy Silver says about 2,600 people or 91 per cent of long-term care residents have received their first COVID-19 vaccine.

Silver says he's been reassured by the federal government that the Moderna vaccine supply for the territory won't be interrupted because of the shortage in the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Dr. Brendan Hanley, the territory's chief medical officer of health, says he's heard doubts expressed by some about the vaccine and potential side-effects.

He reiterated Wednesday that the territory has only had two negative reactions, both of which were minor.

But he says officials are confident that herd immunity can be achieved without making the vaccine mandatory.

He says there will always be those who refuse to take a vaccine and the focus is on reassuring those who receive their shots that it is safe.

“I know there will always be a few hardliners out there who will not get a vaccine,” Hanley said.

Hanley said the territory is also focusing on delivering doses to the remaining nine per cent of long-term care residents, if they want to be vaccinated. He added that having seniors in those facilities receive the vaccine will help protect others.

Yukon has no active cases after recording 70 infections of COVID-19, including one death, during the pandemic.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 20, 2021.