Manitobans over the age of 95 are now eligible to book an appointment to receive the COVID vaccine.
The phone lines to book appointments will also open to First Nations people in Manitoba who are over the age of 75.
The lower age requirement for First Nations people is due to more severe COVID outcomes being observed in this population, says medical lead for Manitoba's vaccine task force, Dr. Joss Reimer.
“I'm personally very excited to be announcing that we’re expanding into the general population, and I’m looking forward to decreasing the age of eligibility continually over time.”
Appointments for eligible Manitobans can be made by phone by calling 1-844-MAN-VACC (1-844-626-8222). Reimer says the province has expanded the number of lines available at the call centre to 2,000 — and touts a wait time of less than a minute to book an appointment.
“We are asking people to only call if you or the persons you’re calling for is over the age of 95, or if it’s for a First Nations person, if they are over the age of 75.”
She says caregivers can make appointments on behalf of a loved one, and may also accompany them to the vaccination site.
At this time, vaccination supersites are operating in Brandon, Winnipeg, and Thomson.
A fourth supersite was announced on Wednesday, to open up in Selkirk in early March.
The provincial government says they intend to open vaccination sites in more locations throughout the province.
Hundreds of pharmacies and medical clinics across Manitoba have applied to dole out vaccines, but they won't be giving immunizations until vaccine supplies increase and another vaccine candidate is approved that doesn't have such finicky storage requirements, as Pfizer and Moderna.
