Manitobans need clarity in vaccine rollout

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/06/2021 (703 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For a few days last week, I went to speak to people in line at the walk-in vaccine clinic at Shoppers Drug Mart in Osborne Village.

Hundreds of people lined up for hours to get their shots, some even camping out overnight. The clinic was meant to be open all day, but it ran out of doses and had to send everyone else away.

Manitobans are obviously willing and ready to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible – why isn’t the government ready to meet that demand? There has been a lack of communication from the Progressive Conservatives to Manitobans about how to get the earliest possible appointments for their vaccines, and it’s led to confusion and many situations like the one we saw at Shoppers Drug Mart. Clearly you shouldn’t have to sleep outside a vaccine site to get a dose.

The PC government continues to move too slowly on this vaccine rollout. Vaccines save lives and while many Manitobans are still waiting weeks for their appointment, our hospitals and ICUs continue to be overwhelmed. With the Delta variant now in the province, we can’t waste any time in getting as many people fully vaccinated as soon as possible.

Manitobans need this government to meet them where they are and break down the barriers many face trying to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. We need to maximize the capacity of our supersites and open 24/7 walk-in and pop-up clinics.

We also need to help with transportation for those who need help accessing these sites. We also must continue engaging with people who are hesitant and make it as convenient as possible to get the shots.

The sooner we do these things, the better we can protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities.

Manitobans are ready to get fully vaccinated. We have the supply – we just need the PC government to make the investments necessary to keep up with the demand. If you have concerns about the vaccine rollout, contact my office at 204-615-1922 or email me at wab.kinew@yourmanitoba.ca

Wab Kinew
Fort Rouge constituency report

Wab Kinew is the NDP MLA for Fort Rouge and leader of the Manitoba New Democratic Party.

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