With spring around the corner, I hope you and your family had a healthy and safe start to 2021. 2020 was a year when Manitobans made many sacrifices in order to protect our most vulnerable and the healthcare system during the ongoing global pandemic. The new year has brought with it a renewed sense of hope with the arrival of COVID -19 vaccines in Manitoba.
I am pleased to announce that a COVID-19 Vaccination Super site located in Selkirk will be opening on March 8.The vaccination super site will be located at the former Selkirk General Hospital on Easton Drive.Available appointments will follow provincial eligibility criteria. Current eligibility criteria can be found at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/eligibility-criteria.html. Manitobans are asked to call only if they meet the eligibility criteria. If you are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, please call 1-844-626-8222to book an appointment.
At the end of February all residents of personal care homes in Manitoba had the opportunity to receive their second dose COVID -19 immunizations. Focused Immunization Teams will continue to conduct regular sweeps of our long-term care facilities to ensure the COVID-19 vaccine remains available to new residents. The Focused Immunization Teams began providing first-dose immunizations to residents of identified congregate living settings last week and will continue to reach approximately 120 locations across Manitoba this week.
Our government recently reached a deal to purchase two million doses of a new COVID-19 mRNA vaccine from Canadian-based company Providence Therapeutics. This vaccine is currently undergoing clinical trials and is expected to protect against current and future variants of the virus. Until now, provinces have been forced to rely on the federal government to supply vaccines from international pharmaceutical companies. This deal will provide our province with a stable and predictable supply of vaccines and offer the best possible protection for every Manitoban who wants to be immunized.
These next few months will see the largest vaccination campaign in Manitoba’s history and the start of a very welcome next chapter in the fight againstCOVID-19 in Manitoba. I have been amazed by the patience, compassion, dedication, and resiliency demonstrated by Manitobans this past year when faced with these extraordinary circumstances. Today, I kindly ask that we all remain vigilant, continue to support one another, follow public health orders and support our businesses community by shopping local. Please stay safe and healthy.
As always, I welcome your questions and comments.
My office can be reached at: 204-482-4955 or [email protected]
Dr. Alan Lagimodiere, MLA for Selkirk
