Manitoba has reached another significant milestone in the fight against COVID-19, as more than 30 per cent of people aged 18 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and more than 400,000 doses have been administered.
“Today, I’m glad to report that more than 400,000 doses have been provided to protect nearly a third of all the adults in our province,” said Health and Seniors Care Minister Heather Stefanson. “I thank everyone from immunizers to our planning teams for their hard work and dedication, because every day we are protecting thousands more Manitobans and their families with this vaccine. I recently received my own first dose of AstraZeneca and am pleased to do my part to help protect my family and community.”
To date, a total of 413,607 first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. This represents 31.4 per cent of all adults in Manitoba aged 18 or older.
“Getting immunized not only protects ourselves, but our friends, families, neighbours and communities,” said Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead of the Vaccine Implementation Task Force. “The vaccine builds on the fundamentals we’ve been practicing for so long now, and will help reduce the risk and the spread of COVID-19.”
There are currently five super sites operating in Winnipeg, Selkirk, Brandon, Morden and Thompson, with a second supersite to open in Winnipeg on Leila Avenue on May 7 and another in Steinbach later in that month. Five urban Indigenous clinics will also begin providing immunizations as early as this week, to help provide better access to people who might otherwise face barriers, including people who are experiencing homelessness. Vaccines have also been delivered to personal care homes and congregate living facilities by Focused Immunization Teams, and pop-up clinics continue to be offered in communities and First Nations across the province.
“As more supply comes to Manitoba, we are working with our key stakeholders, health providers and First Nations partners to further speed up the immunization program, which is the largest in Manitoba’s history,” said Johanu Botha, operations lead of the Vaccine Implementation Task Force. “We have reached a new milestone, but know there is more to do to get the vaccine to those waiting their turn. We will keep rolling out our program and helping people right across the province get their vaccine.”
On Friday, the Manitoba government announced expanded vaccine eligibility to all adults aged 18 and older who live in three communities in Winnipeg – Downtown East, Inkster East and Point Douglas South – as well as individuals who work in specific public-facing roles in those areas.
Currently, four vaccines have been authorized for use by Health Canada. Moderna, Pfizer and AstraZeneca/Covishield are currently being administered in Manitoba. However, the single-dose vaccine Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) is not yet available in Canada.
Manitobans are reminded that April 24 to 30 is National Immunization Awareness Week. To read the stories about people who have chosen or committed to be immunized, or to sign up to be notified when it’s your turn, visit protectmb.ca.
