WINNIPEG -- Manitoba’s vaccine task force said it is communicating with religious leaders in southern Manitoba to help improve the province’s COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

At a technical briefing on Wednesday, the task force noted one group it is communicating with is the Mennonite community. It added that those who come from the Mennonite tradition are leading this initiative.

The task force said there are few ways the province can deal with populations and demographics that are falling behind on vaccinations. This includes targeted advertising, community outreach, and a policy or service response.

The province added when it comes to those who are skeptical about getting the COVID-19 vaccine or those who face barriers in accessing it, its work has to be intentional. Some of the efforts Manitoba has already taken on to help make the vaccines more accessible include the transportation program to get people to their appointments and the urban Indigenous clinics.

“For those of you who have waited to make your appointment to see how the system would work, we encourage you to call now,” said Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead for Manitoba’s Vaccine Implementation Task Force.

“Our clinics are running so smoothly and we want to see you there.”

The task force noted that the overall intention to be vaccinated is slowly climbing.

THE VACCINE AND FERTILITY

Reimer said the province has heard that some people are nervous the COVID-19 vaccine could affect their ability to have kids.

“I want to be very clear on this point that there has not been a report from anywhere in the world showing that this vaccine has any impact on your ability to get pregnant or to get somebody else pregnant,” she said.

Reimer said the immune response process is completely separate from the process of getting pregnant.

“We have been very encouraged as we’ve looked at the reports from other countries and seen that as 1.5 billion doses of this vaccine have been given that no one is reporting any issues related to fertility,” she said.

NEW INFO COMING ONLINE

Reimer noted the province is in the process of adding new information to its website regarding vaccine uptake by regional health authority and health district.

She said it will include data by age group and sex, as well as first and second doses.

“This will help us to monitor where we are doing well and where we need to do more outreach,” Reimer said.

“With this kind of data we can better tailor our communications and we can work to reach more Manitobans and encourage them to be vaccinated.”

VACCINE SURVEY

Manitoba is also launching an EngageMB survey on vaccines to understand Manitobans’ vaccine experiences and perceptions. The survey will also seek feedback on the province’s vaccine program.

The questions in the survey will ask about people’s personal experiences, their views on the vaccines, and plans to vaccinate eligible children.

This data will enable Manitoba to implement and adjust its plans.

“This information will allow us to better address vaccine hesitancy by allowing us to target specific communities and help share information that will increase vaccine uptake,” Reimer said.

Manitobans can fill out the survey online.