By The Canadian Press
Johanu Botha, co-lead, Manitoba’s Vaccine Implementation Task Force, speaks about COVID-19 vaccination initiatives and answers media questions during a COVID-19 live-streamed press conference at the Manitoba legislature in Winnipeg Wednesday, March 17, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)
WINNIPEG — Manitoba will be scaling back hours at COVID-19 vaccine supersites next month as the province prioritizes outreach to communities and populations that have seen fewer people get a dose.
Johanu Botha, who is on the team rolling out vaccines, says Manitoba is close to meeting the next vaccination milestone for reopening that is set to begin on Labour Day weekend in early September.
More than 78 per cent of eligible people have had at least one dose and almost 68 per cent have had two doses.
So far, Manitoba has reached each milestone in its plan ahead of schedule.
Health officials say demand for doses is down and that’s why they are changing their strategy to directly connect with people who have not had a shot.
The province will focus on community-hosted and pop-up clinics, as well as continue to provide doses to pharmacies and doctors.
