Health officials are sharing the results of Wednesday's walk-in Vax-A-Thon.

In a release, they say 9,070 doses of vaccine were given out, with an estimated 20 per cent of those first doses. They also say approximately 30 per cent of the doses were given to youth. This has helped bring the total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses to 1,647,353.

Wednesday's Vax-A-Thon organizers prepared more than 20,000 doses for the event. Numbers may have been less than half of what they prepared for, but the province is thanking everyone who attended.

"Thank You to everyone who attended for first and second doses and for doing your part to help," the Government of Manitoba tweets.

As of Friday morning, 77.2 per cent of people have received their first COVID-19 vaccine and 60.4 per cent their second dose. Last week 75.9 per cent received their first dose and 55.2 per cent their second dose.

Friday's numbers bring the province closer to its third and final vaccination goal for a full reopening. For this to happen, 80 per cent of Manitobans will have needed to receive their first COVID-19 vaccine, and 75 their second dose. The first "Vax to Win Lottery" cutoff is August 2.

There are 14,836 doses scheduled for Friday.

 

Park pop-ups

This weekend Focused Immunization Teams (FITs) will be visiting parks and campgrounds, bringing vaccines to people.

“As summer picks up and more Manitobans are getting outside and enjoying our campgrounds, this provides an innovative and fun approach to helping get more people vaccinated,” Health and Seniors Care Minister Heather Stephanson says in a release.

Entry to provincial parks is free this weekend.

Parks visited by FIT include:

  • Friday – Child’s Lake Campground, Duck Mountain Provincial Park from noon to 2 p.m. and Asessippi Beach and Campground, Asessippi Provincial Park from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; and 
  • Saturday – Kiche Manitou Campground, Spruce Woods Provincial Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Bringing vaccines to parks is a first for the government, but not in the province. Winnipeg doctor, Dr. Leslea Walters, gave out vaccinations in a Winnipeg park this spring and saw huge success.

Stephenson is hoping the walk-in-style vaccinations will encourage Manitobans to get their first and second doses. More park pop-ups will occur in the future.

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