Fighting for an effective vaccination plan
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This article was published 22/01/2021 (858 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Over the past 10 months, Manitobans have made immense sacrifices to flatten the COVID-19 curve.
It hasn’t always been easy — Christmas dinners and gatherings had to be put on hold, many businesses across northeast Winnipeg have temporarily closed their doors, and social isolation has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health. But now, as COVID-19 vaccines have started being deployed around Manitoba, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Many of us are looking to the future with hope and an expectation that our government will be there to get us vaccinated as quickly as possible. After all, every Manitoban deserves to know they’ll have access to a COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of where they live or how much money they make.
Unfortunately, while other provinces have efficiently pushed vaccinations out the door with ease, we have fallen behind.
Manitoba’s vaccine deployment has consistently ranked near the bottom of the pack. In terms of doses administered per capita, we’ve placed almost last when compared to the other provinces. Meanwhile, health-care workers have reported wasted vaccines ending up in the trash, or have received messages sending them to incorrect vaccination sites. Just as the Conservatives failed to prepare for the second wave of the virus this fall, they have now failed to plan for our vaccination campaign.
It’s not only the speed at which the vaccine is being deployed that Manitobans are anxious about. Folks from every corner of our province want to ensure it’s deployed equitably too, with the most vulnerable Manitobans getting vaccinated first.
I’ve heard from many front-line and essential workers across our community, including health-care aides, teachers and bus drivers, wondering when they will receive the vaccine because of the lack of administration. The government needs to release a complete eligibility list indicating the order in which different priority groups will be eligible to help ease unnecessary confusion, stress and uncertainty and help improve public confidence.
For Manitoba to have a strong recovery in 2021, it’s paramount that we start with a solid foundation. That means making sure our vaccine is distributed effectively, efficiently, and equitably, with no one being left behind. I will keep fighting alongside our NDP Opposition team to make that happen.
If you have any thoughts about how Manitoba can improve our vaccine rollout, let me know by reaching out to my office at 204-654-1857 or by email at matt.wiebe@yourmanitoba.ca
Matt Wiebe
Concordia constituency report
Matt Wiebe is the NDP MLA for Concordia.