People 24 and older eligable for COVID-19 vaccine 

The province and Indigenous partners are encouraging young Manitobans to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine has changed to those who are 24-years-old and older, or 18-years-old and older if Indigenous, or living or working specific jobs in previously-announced eligible geographic areas.

During a Legislative Assembly of Manitoba question period, Premier Brian Pallister says ages will drop to 18 and older Wednesday. This is 10 days sooner than the anticipated May 22 date announced last week by the COVID-19 Immunization Task Force. 

Eligibility also includes:

• people who are aged 18 or older who are pregnant
• Community Living disABILITY Services clients aged 18 or older
  • Participants should contact their community service worker, who will confirm eligibility and help to make appointments
• individuals aged 18 or older who work:
  • as front line police officers and firefighters
  • in any health care setting, including outpatient settings,
  • vaccine warehouse,
  • alternative isolation accommodations, and
  • congregate living facilities.
• individuals aged 18 and older who provide direct care to individuals in:
  • homeless shelters, family violence shelters, emergency placement shelters and second stage housing, and
  • congregate group care settings in Community Living disABILITY Services or the child and family services sector.
    • Manitoba Families is identifying eligible staff and contacting them directly to schedule appointments).

Those looking to book can do so online or by calling 1-844-MAN-VACC (1-844-626-8222).

As of Monday, 565,219 doses of vaccine have been administered, with most of those first doses. A total of 693,960 doses have arrived in Manitoba since December. The province says 73,710 doses of the Pfizer vaccine are coming this week.

On Tuesday morning, the province announced an Influence-led immunization campaign directed towards young Indigenous adults with people such as William Prince and Michael Redhead Champagne.

"This collaboration aims to build a more authentic connection with their established followers on social media, to generate a broader awareness of the facts behind the COVID-19 virus and vaccines, while emphasizing the importance of protecting First Nation peoples and cultures by being vaccinated," the new Protect Our People MB campaign says in a statement.

This campaign is led by y the Southern Chiefs’ Organization Inc. (SCO), Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO), Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin Inc. (KIM), the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba (FNHSSM) and the Manitoba government.

“Now more than ever, it is important for us to work together, protect each other and get vaccinated. We each have a responsibility to protect our Elders and those who cannot yet be vaccinated including our children," Grand Chief Arlen Dumas of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs says in a statement.  "I acknowledge that there is a further aspect to the #ProtectOurPeople campaign that makes available graphics for First Nation allies to use to help promote. I encourage all allies to join us in the fight against COVID-19 and make your support known."