WINNIPEG -- Manitobans 40 and older are now eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine. Health Minister Heather Stefanson made the announcement in a news release on Monday, saying the eligibility expansion is effective immediately at medical clinics and pharmacies. “Tens of thousands of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine remain in clinics and pharmacies across the province, which is why we're expanding the eligibility criteria for the vaccine,” Stefanson said. “I want to thank physician and pharmacy partners for their work to provide vaccine and look forward to the numbers of doses administered increasing quickly over the coming days.” This news comes after the province halted AstraZeneca vaccinations for those under the age of 55 last month, due to concerns over rare but dangerous blood clots.