Manitoba releases four-stage immunization plan

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COVID-19 Vaccine

Manitoba releases four-stage immunization plan

January 27, 2021

Manitoba released its four-stage immunization plan on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 but noted that the timelines are dependent on vaccine deliveries to the province.

“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,” said Health and Seniors Care Minister Heather Stefanson.

The plan indicates that the province intends to expand the immunization plan to other priority groups before opening up to the general population.

Once vaccines are available to the general population it will be based on age starting with those over 95 and then working its way down.

Proposed plan for vaccinations based on a low supply (Source | Government of Manitoba)

“Our priority population sequencing reflects what we know about COVID-19, including who is at greatest risk of serious illness and who is most likely to be exposed to the virus,” said Dr. Joss Reimer, medical officer of health with Manitoba Health and Seniors Care and medical lead on the Vaccine Implementation Task Force. “The plan we’re releasing todaybuilds on the work we’ve already done to immunize thousands of people. Now Manitobans will have a better sense of where they and their loved ones fit in the vaccine campaign as it rolls out in the weeks and months ahead.”

The province assured Manitoban’s that anyone who wants to be immunized will be but it will take time.

Based on the plans it will take until the end of August at the earliest and the end of the year at the latest for all Manitobans to receive one the vaccines depending on supply lines.

The province has come up with estimated times when each group will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 shot.

Beginning in March those 80+ will be eligible according to the plan, two weeks later those 70+ will be included. In April we should see people over the age of 60 become eligible. Those in their 50s are slated beginning in May with those 40-49 seeing the shot in July. 30-39-year-olds can expect to be able to begin making appointments in August followed by 18-29-year-olds beginning in October.