WINNIPEG -- The Manitoba government has expanded its community-based eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine.
According to the province, Manitobans who live in Brandon Downtown, as well as Downtown West and Point Douglas North in Winnipeg can now book an appointment to be vaccinated.
This expansion also applies to individuals who work in certain jobs and settings.
This includes those who work at Kindergarten to Grade 12 schools, as child-care providers, at food-processing facilities, at grocery or convenience stores, at gas stations, as public health inspectors or workplace safety and health officers, as well as anywhere that serves food.
These individuals will become eligible and can make their appointments as of noon on Wednesday.
The province has already implemented community-based eligibility in the following Winnipeg communities: Downtown East, Inkster East, Point Douglas South, and Seven Oaks West. This eligibility is for those over the age of 18 who live in these areas, and those who work specific jobs in these areas.
Dr. Joss Reimer, the medical lead of Manitoba's Vaccine Implementation Task Force, said the communities are chosen based on COVID-19 case rates, population density, the percentage of racialized populations, income, and housing.
"Community-based eligibility helps address systemic barriers while providing added protection when entire households can be immunized at the same time," Reimer said.
Earlier in the week, Manitoba also opened up eligibility to all adults who live or work in the Northern Regional Health Authority, including Churchill. This eligibility expansion includes all workplaces.
On Wednesday, the province announced that it is opening two more supersites. The first one is set to open on May 10 at 304 Whitmore Ave. E in Dauphin, and another will open on May 18 at 294 Lumber Ave. in Steinbach, Man.
The province will update when appointments will be available.
One week ago, Manitoba lowered its overall age eligibility for the COVID-19 Pfizer and Moderna vaccines at supersites to 50 and older for the general population and 30 and older for First Nations.
The age eligibility has not changed since, and Reimer said there are no dates set for when it will be lowered again.
"We do have more priority communities that we want to announce – it is really critical that we do get eligibility opened to the communities where we know that high-risk of increased transmission and increase of severe outcomes is still prioritized," she said.
Reimer said she believes the age eligibility will drop quickly once it does open up because so many other people have already become eligible through the priority areas.
"We really want everybody to go and get that first dose as soon as they possibly can," she said.
"We want to get a first dose into every single adult in Manitoba by June so that we can get that herd immunity going and maybe we can have a somewhat normal summer even as we go through dose two administrations."
- With files from CTV’s Michelle Gerwing.
