Extension of interval between the two doses to four months based on the most recent data on how vaccines are working: Dr. Howard Njoo

A panel of experts says up to 80 per cent of Canadians over 16 could get a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine by the end of June, if governments extend the interval between the two doses to four months.

Deputy federal public health officer Doctor Howard Njoo says the move is based on the most recent data on how vaccines are working.

Canada is now on track to receive a total of 6.5 million vaccine doses by the end of this month.

That's 500,000 more than originally forecast.

Health officials in Alberta, BC and Newfoundland and Labrador have said they are extending that interval to four months, while other provinces are still considering it.

On Wednesday Canada has received its first 500,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca shot, the third COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in the country.