The Public Health Lead for the First Nation Pandemic Response Coordination Team Dr. Marcia Anderson reports widespread first dose COVID-19 immunizations will begin in First Nations communities throughout the province, Northern Affairs communities and remote northern municipalities in mid March.  She noted these communities are more at risk of COVID-19 and at younger ages and many face emergency situations.

She explains the sequencing plan takes into account the experiences of outbreaks and death within the communities.  She says we know that communities that have had higher fatality rates, outbreaks and lockdowns may be feeling pandemic fatigue more than others.  As such once the communities that are at the highest risk of evacuations due to flooding or fires are completed they will then move on to communities that have had the higher numbers of deaths and have had community outbreaks.

People living in Thompson, The Pas, RM of Kelsey and Flin Flon will continue to access COVID-19 immunizations at the super site in Thompson or at other mobile or pop-up sites that will be held in the future following provincial age based eligibility criteria.  For more information on the vaccine program visit www.manitoba.ca/vaccine.