Eligible health care workers in Manitoba can begin booking vaccination appointments as of today.

Manitoba is expecting its first delivery of 1,950 doses of the Pfizer vaccine early next week this is enough to immunize about 900 people. About 228,000 doses of vaccine are expected between now and the end of March 2021.

“Based on the recommendations of our vaccine implementation task force, we have identified which health care workers should be the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and effectively begin an unprecedented immunization campaign.  We know it will take time for every Manitoban to be immunized, but we are ready to make that happen as quickly and safely as possible,” said Premier Brian Pallister

The initial round of immunizations has been earmarked to priority health care workers who directly work with patients and who meet one of 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.

Health officials noted that the number of workers who are eligible to receive the vaccine is larger than the number of available doses. Additional immunization dates will be added as more vaccine arrives in the province.

The first vaccination clinic is expected to begin on Wednesday December 16.

© News4.ca 2020