TORONTO — Ontario is pausing COVID-19 vaccinations of long-term care staff and essential caregivers so that it can focus on administering the shots to all nursing home residents amid a shortage of doses.

The province announced the change of focus on its vaccination plan Monday as it deals with delays in deliveries of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, with no shots expected to arrive this week.

The government said the shift will mean some of the most vulnerable seniors will receive the first dose of the vaccine by Feb. 5.

“To reduce the risk of severe illness and death for the most vulnerable populations, health officials are accelerating the vaccination of long-term care, high-risk retirement, and First Nations elder care residents across Ontario,” the government said.

The government had initially promised to complete the vaccination of all long-term care home residents, staff and caregivers by Feb. 15.

Health-care workers who have already received their first dose will still get a second, but the province said that shot may be delayed by up to 42 days depending on supply.