As part of the largest immunization campaign in the province’s history, a new milestone was reached as 100,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.
“This milestone means thousands of people have been protected against COVID-19 with first and second doses, as we work together to protect one another from this deadly virus,” Health and Seniors Care Minister Heather Stefanson said. “We know we still have much work to do, so that we can return to our new normal with COVID-19. But it’s also important to acknowledge hard work, commitment and dedication from those on the front lines and on our Vaccination Implementation Task Force who have made this possible.”
It was one year ago this month when the first Manitoban died from COVID-19 complications. The first vaccine was given to a Manitoban on Dec. 16, 2020, at the initial pilot location in Winnipeg. Since then, four super sites have opened across the province, with another in Morden opening on March 22. Eligible and consenting residents of personal care homes have received both doses of vaccine and as of March 8 focused immunization teams have visited nearly 200 congregate living sites and provided more than 5,600 first doses given to residents.
When the immunization campaign began, Manitoba was providing 300 vaccines a day. The province’s goal is to build an immunization framework capable of giving 20,000 doses a day, the minister said.
“We continue to build the infrastructure needed to bring vaccine to people throughout our province,” said Johanu Botha, operations lead of the Vaccination Implementation Task Force. “This is being accomplished in collaboration with key stakeholders and the leadership of our First Nation partners. The pandemic continues to test the mettle of all of us, but we are on track with our response and our plan to administer 20,000 doses a day.”
More than 20 community vaccination pop-up sites are scheduled to open before the end of March. Vaccine is now being distributed to hundreds of doctor offices and pharmacies for those with high-risk medical conditions.
Vaccines continue to be authorized for use and shipped to Manitoba by the federal government. To date, Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca/Covishield are being used for immunizations. The recently approved single-dose vaccine Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) is not yet available.
“As more vaccines are approved and supplies increase, we will have a vaccine for every Manitobans who is eligible to be immunized,” said Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead for the Vaccination Implementation Task Force. “It has been difficult to be patient, particularly when vaccines were so scarce. We are seeing a ray of hope as we meet this milestone of 100,000 doses and as we deliver hundreds of thousands more doses, please keep following the fundamentals to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy.”
