Prairie Mountain Health will send Focused Immunization Teams (FITs) to various provincial, federal and private campgrounds in Manitoba to offer first-dose or second-dose COVID-19 vaccines to those who are interested.

“As summer picks up and more Manitobans are getting outside and enjoying our campgrounds, this provides an innovative and fun approach to helping get more people vaccinated,” said Health and Seniors Care Minister Heather Stefanson. “Bringing immunization teams into campgrounds allows us to reach people where they already are, making immunization easy and accessible to those who still need a first or second dose.”

Immunizers and navigators will be set up outside at campgrounds, by concession stands or near beaches, and offering first and second doses to individuals who are still needing to be immunized.

All doses will be administered on a walk-in basis, over a two- to three-hour period with Pfizer for youth aged 12 to 17 and Moderna for adults aged 18 and older.

The teams will also be available to answer any questions people may have about the vaccines. Those who are planning to be immunized at a campground are encouraged to bring a consent form, but forms will be available at the sites for those who do not have one.

“Provincial parks have been a great partner in advertising and promoting this among campers,” said Stefanson. “We have already been promoting these events on the Manitoba Parks website and social media, and staff have been extremely valuable in helping us plan this initiative.”

FITs will be at the following campgrounds on the following days:

  • July 16 – Child’s Lake Campground, Duck Mountain Provincial Park from noon to 2 p.m. and Asessippi Beach and Campground, Asessippi Provincial Park from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; and
  • July 17 – Kiche Manitou Campground, Spruce Woods Provincial Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“This is a great opportunity to u.se our parks and campgrounds to help push us toward our immunization goal and really meet people where they already are, at our campgrounds enjoying the summer,” said Conservation and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard. “I encourage people to take advantage of the last few days of our free Manitoba Parks entry this week, get outside to enjoy the sunshine and get vaccinated at the same time.”

Additional campground vaccinations are planned for the week of July 25, such as at Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park. More campgrounds will be added to the list in the near future, Guillemard noted.