Manitoba teachers and other school staffers could soon become eligible to get a COVID-19 shot in North Dakota.
Premier Brian Pallister said Thursday, Manitoba is still working out the details, but people would be given special permission to cross the border to get the vaccine and then immediately return to Canada. It’ll be similar to the vaccination program currently being offered to Manitoba truckers.
Students and staff in Manitoba schools have been hit hard by COVID-19, in the last couple of weeks over 400 cases have turned up in 167 provincial schools, and about a quarter of the cases were among staff.
Pallister said some teachers and education workers over 18 may already eligible in certain regions and neighbourhoods deemed as hot spots, and people over 40 are eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine at pharmacies and clinics – adding the “North Dakota announcement is an extra thing.” Critics say driving to the U-S is not the answer, and that Pallister should have prioritized COVID-19 vaccines for school staff from day one.
The premier said more details on the cross-border vaccination program will be announced next week.
