More than 100,000 calls came into the the COVID-19 appointment booking service since it opened at noon on Saturday, December 12, 2020.

Manitoba is scheduled to begin receiving COVID-19 vaccine this week but only expects 900 doses to be available to the priority front-line workers within the health-care system.

In a media release Sunday the province said they shared the dedicated phone number internally within the health-care system so that the eligible workers could book appointments to begin receiving the vaccine as early as Wednesday. Appointments are necessary as there are more eligible workers than available vaccine.

The majority of callers to the booking service were not part of the eligible group for the first round of vaccinations and were screened out. The province is asking people to not call the line unless you meet the eligibility requirements so as to not overwhelm the booking system.

The only people eligible to receive the vaccine at this time are health-care workers who meet the following criteria:

• work in critical care units, born on or before Dec. 31, 1970;
• work in acute care facilities, born on or before Dec. 31, 1960;
• work in long-term care facilities, born on or before Dec. 31, 1960; or
• be assigned to COVID-19 immunization clinics.

As more vaccine is available the province will provide updates on future opportunities for immunization.

Manitoba is expecting to receive 228,000 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines before the end of March 2021.

© News4.ca 2020