Plans underway to expand COVID-19 vaccine delivery based on community prioritization index Corwyn Friesen, mySteinbach Posted on 03/05/2021 at 11:00 am Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead of Manitoba's Vaccine Implementation Task Force, at COVID-19 vaccination briefing. Widespread first-dose COVID-19 immunizations will begin in First Nation communities throughout the province, Northern Affairs communities and remote northern municipalities in mid-March. “We know First Nations people in Manitoba are more at risk of COVID-19 and at younger ages. In addition, many of these communities may face evacuation due to fires and floods or have geographical issues that make it hard to get there,” said Dr. Marcia Anderson, public health lead of the Manitoba First Nation Pandemic Response Coordination Team. “It’s important to get needles into arms as soon as possible and detailed planning is now underway to schedule vaccinations in these communities.”