In order to build capacity and prepare for an unprecedented immunization campaign, the province has once again expanded the professions that will be able to protect Manitobans by administering the COVID-19 vaccine.
Health and Seniors Care Minister Heather Stefanson says the number of vaccine doses delivered so far is only a tiny fraction of what we’ll need in the coming months, “Today we are expanding the number of people permitted to administer vaccines, so that when those vaccines are delivered to our province, I have been assured that we will be ready to mobilize our plan to vaccinate up to 20,000 Manitobans a day.”
Stefanson noted additional immunizers are not needed at this time due to low vaccine supply, but the order is part of the province’s contingency planning to mobilize a broader workforce if needed in the future.
The order applies to:
– athletic therapists,;
– chiropractors,
– dental hygienists,
– massage therapists, and
– optometrists.
“I want to thank all of the Manitobans who have stepped forward to play a part in the largest immunization rollout in the history of our province,” said Stefanson. “Manitoba is ready to start putting vaccines in arms as soon as we start receiving more supply from the federal government.”
In the coming weeks, the province will work with these professions and other stakeholders to discuss what types of training, recruitment and retention initiatives might be appropriate. More details will be shared with these professions as soon as it is available including when recruitment may be expanded to include their members.
With the most recent expansion, a total of 17 professions can provide a COVID-19 immunization.
More information can be found on the link below.
