Manitoba Expands Vaccine Eligibility, includes some people with disabilities

The province of Manitoba is including more people in its vaccine priority list.

Two CBC News articles, written by Bryce Hoye and Erin Brohman say people with Down syndrome, other disabilities, and those with various neurological conditions are on a new two-level priority list to get a vaccine.

The first list includes:

  • Manitobans between the ages 50 and 64 with severe heart, kidney, blood and liver conditions
  • People with severe obesity
  • People with a history of stroke
  • People who get regular home care or 24/7 support from Community Living Disability Services

People with diabetes, various neurological conditions, HIV, autoimmune disorders, and some pregnant woman are on the second priority list, according to the province.

The province says the people who meet these criteria should seek out the AstraZeneca/Covashield vaccine that is being distributed to and administered by over 200 pharmacists or physicians at various health clinics.

Dr. Joss Reimer, the medial lead and spokesperson for the province’s COVID-19 vaccine task force, says those who have already received shots of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines should stick with those vaccines for their second shot even if they qualify for the AstraZeneca/Covashield vaccine.

More information on the vaccines currently available, eligibility criteria, and the location of where vaccines are available can be found on the province’s COVID-19 Vaccine page.