Vax-A-Thon & More Reopening

WINNIPEG - Manitoba Vaccine Task Force Medical Lead Dr. Joss Reimer she’s hopeful that people will come out en masse on Wednesday and take a giant step toward further lifting of restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

All vaccination supersites across the province are offering walk-ins today, which Reimer says is part of an effort to make it as convenient as possible for Manitobans to get their first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while celebrating the hope of reduced restrictions.

Reimer says, now that the vaccines have been around for seven months, she hopes those who haven’t received one are considering that this might be the right time to get a shot themselves, too, after seeing those who have been protected against the virus are doing well.

Officials are expected to be available at the supersites to answer any questions people might have about COVID-19 vaccines, but Reimer says people are also welcome to speak to their own healthcare providers, pharmacists, or another medical professionals.

The province has 20,000 vaccine doses reserved for today’s Vax-a-thon, with 8,000 reserved for youth aged 12 to 17. Reimer says if all 20,000 doses are used up, the province will be able to advance further on their reopening timeline, further reducing public health restrictions earlier than originally scheduled.

You can locate a supersite closest to you on the province’s website.

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin is announcing Phase Two of Manitoba’s reopening plan today, which includes a 50 per cent or higher capacity for businesses, services, and facilities as well as an increase in permitted gathering sizes. Daily new case counts and hospitalizations for COVID-19 continue to drop, and as of Tuesday the five-day test positivity rate was around 4.5 per cent, and the lowest number of new cases since September was announced.

The province is also set to already reach its goal required to reopen fully. As of Tuesday, 76.5 per cent of Manitobans had gotten their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 57.8 per cent their second. The third and final phase of reopening has a goal for 80 per cent of Manitobans to have gotten their first dose and 75 per cent their second, with a September long weekend deadline.