WINNIPEG Potential disruptions to Moderna vaccine shipments could result in delays to Manitoba’s immunization plans. Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead for the Vaccine Implementation Task Force, said the province was made aware of the issue Friday morning during the daily COVID-19 briefing. “We haven t received exact numbers as far as how Manitoba is going to be impacted. But our planning team is right now, as we speak, working on that, to try to determine how this may impact our plans,” she said. Reimer said the Moderna vaccine is currently being used in personal care homes outside of Winnipeg, in First Nations communities, Thompson, The Pas, and Flin Flon.
WINNIPEG COVID-19 vaccinations for all residents of personal care homes who choose to receive one will be completed on Saturday, according to Health and Seniors Care Minister Heather Stefanson. In a statement, Stefanson said this phase of the province’s immunization plan will be completed in three weeks, ahead of the previously committed 28-day timeline. “I want to thank all the health-care providers on the front lines and the members of the Vaccine Implementation Task Force for making this possible, as well as for their hard work, detailed plans and commitment to protecting some of the most vulnerable Manitobans,” she said.
Province highlights plans to protect vulnerable Manitobans with comprehensive vaccine prioritization list
Corwyn Friesen, mySteinbach Health and Seniors Care Minister Heather Stefanson discussing vaccine prioritization.
The province has released a four-stage immunization plan that builds on medical expertise and Manitoba’s current approach to the vaccine campaign, with the goal of protecting Manitobans at greatest risk of COVID-19 the soonest, Health and Seniors Care Minister Heather Stefanson announced.
“These priority groups are clear and based on the guidance of our medical experts,” said Stefanson. “We all want to get the vaccine to our most vulnerable people, and to every Manitoban who wants a vaccine, as quickly as possible. Now, we need the vaccine supply to put our plans into action. This is incredibly important work that is being led by the Vaccine Implementation Task Force, on behalf of all Manitobans.”
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The province is announcing its much-anticipated vaccination priority list, giving locals an idea of how long they have to wait.
The majority of the province s plan is to vaccinate the population oldest to youngest, with some exceptions. The shots will be given to the general public starting with those aged 80 and older.
Vaccinations for the general population will begin on March 1.
Dr. Joss Reimer with the Vaccine Implementation Task Force says the choice to vaccinate oldest to youngest is based on federal recommendations and data collection. Additionally, the age-based system means those who are more likely to be leaving their home for errands or work are lower on the priority list than those who mostly stay home.