Manitoba health officials hope to start giving the COVID-19 vaccine to the general public in the beginning of March, starting with people aged 95 and over.
Prioritization will be based on age group, going from the elderly down to eventually the 18-29 age group by 1-year increments. The full presentation can be found here.
However, Dr. Joss Reimer, the medical lead on the COVID-19 Vaccination Implementation Task Force, says the timeline all depends on vaccine supplies.
“We are looking at the numbers everyday and they are changing every day. What we’re told right now, if we get all the doses that had been previously allotted to Manitoba, we could probably open up to our elderly Manitobans in March at some point.” she said.
Reimer also says if vaccine supplies increase, they could speed up the campaign to include people over 60 by April or May.
“Certainly if supplies increase we could be talking more earlier into April. If supplies continue to be strained as they are right now, then it might later on and into early summer.” Reimer said.
Right now, those getting vaccinated are health care workers who provide direct patient care, personal care home residents, and adults in northern and remote First Nations communities.
COVID-19 Vaccinations By The Numbers
As of today (Wed), 33,361 doses of vaccine have been administered including 28,274 first doses and 5,087 second doses.
In the Prairie Mountain Health Region, a total of 3,833 first doses and 209 second doses have been administered.
Regarding distribution, 55,650 doses of the vaccine has been delivered to Manitoba. This includes 40,950 doses of Pfizer’s vaccine, and 14,700 doses of Moderna’s vaccine.
The province says a vaccine delivery is not expected this week. Regional breakdowns can be found here.