The governments of Manitoba and North Dakota announced a new initiative that will see Manitoba-based truckers receive the COVID-19 vaccine in North Dakota.

Known as the Essential Worker Cross-Border Vaccination Initiative the program will work with the Manitoba Trucking Association to identify eligible truck drivers. Manitoba will then work with North Dakota to schedule vaccination appointments for drivers during their routine trips to the United States over the next six to eight weeks.

The province estimates that there are approximately 2,000 to 4,000 eligible drivers that will take part in the program.

“As Manitoba faces the third wave of the pandemic and the significant challenges associated with variants of concern, our number one limiting factor in protecting Manitobans is the availability of COVID-19 vaccines,” Premier Brian Pallister said. “Manitoba is proud to partner with North Dakota on this innovative strategy to provide life-saving vaccines to Manitoba’s essential workers delivering the goods and services Manitobans, Canadians and Americans rely on.”

The cost of the initiative is covered by the U.S. federal government as they supply the vaccine and reimburse North Dakota for the administration of the vaccine. A rest area near Drayton, North Dakota will be the initial site for the vaccinations that will take place between noon and 8:00 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

“North Dakota and Manitoba have a long and rich history of friendship and co-operation, and this vaccination initiative is an opportunity to strengthen that bond by offering assistance that will protect public health and the flow of goods and services on both sides of the border,” North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said. “With adequate vaccine supplies and all North Dakotans having access to vaccine while Canada is dealing with a vaccine shortage, we want to do our part to ensure essential workers from Canada who are frequently travelling through our state are vaccinated.”

This is the first program of its type between a Canadian and American jurisdiction.

© News4.ca 2021