Immunization program is a race against time
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/01/2021 (868 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Manitobans should be vaccinated against COVID-19 as quickly as possible, but instead the province’s vaccine rollout has been slow, chaotic, and glitchy.
We had precious doses wasted and immunization centres closed for days in December. That’s a level of unpreparedness that Manitobans — particularly those most vulnerable — can’t afford.
COVID-19 is an enemy that doesn’t care about deadlines, so our government needs to get all Manitobans on the road to immunity as soon as new doses are available. Our rollout is slow because thousands of doses we’ve already received sit waiting in storage, rather than in the arms of Manitobans. Last month the Pallister government promised 40,000 vaccinations in January — but we are not on track to meet that goal. They’ve missed their own targets and now they are scaling down their promises.
By early February, our front-line health workers and long-term care residents and staff will hopefully have at least one of their doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Almost half of all of Manitoba’s 700-plus COVID-19 deaths have been long-term care residents, and I know many Elmwood residents will be much relieved to have vulnerable family members start building immunity. The second dose boosts the effects of the first dose and should ideally be administered 21 days after the first shot. Peak immunity is achieved for most people about seven days after the second dose.
Manitoba’s vaccine plan is to have 9,834 residents in 135 long term personal care home sites fully vaccinated by mid-March. Manitoba’s roll-out to the general population will begin in earnest once specific groups, such as hospital ward workers, emergency workers and homecare workers, for example, have been vaccinated. The province will announce further information as details are finalized for the general population.
For up-to-date information on Manitoba’s COVID immunization program, please visit https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/index.html and click on ‘Current Eligibility Criteria’ for further information.
Those of you without access to the internet, feel free to give my office a call at 204-415-1122.
One of the most critical tasks the Pallister government has as this immunization program rolls out is to ensure all Manitobans know when they are eligible to receive the vaccine. The vaccine is free and must be accessible to all families no matter their mobility, location, or income.
My NDP colleagues and I will continue to advocate for a vaccine plan that is fast, effective and clearly communicated.
For further information, feel free to contact my office at 204-415-1122 or email me at jim.maloway@yourmanitoba.ca