Manitoba Health Coalition urges province to reconsider vaccine distribution
Posted September 20, 2023 3:55 pm.
The Manitoba Health Coalition (MHC) is urging the province to reconsider how some vaccines are being distributed across Manitoba.
Tuesday, Public Health recommended Manitobans get updated COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccines.
The province also outlined key groups that are to be considered the most vulnerable and that should get vaccinated. Those include adults 65 years and older, residents of long-term care homes, and anyone with underlying medical conditions.
READ MORE: Manitoba recommends vaccines ahead of cold and flu season
In a Wednesday news release, MHC urged “the province to reconsider its current stance and to follow Ontario’s lead in providing the RSV vaccine for vulnerable seniors in personal care homes.”
MHC says the “student absence dashboard” of the Louis Riel School Division is a clear indicator of RSV, flu, and COVID-19 within the province.
“This year’s numbers, to date, are following an almost exact pattern to last year’s numbers, which were well above traditional expectations. Last year, this led to dramatically increased wait times and occupancy rates at the HSC Children’s Hospital.
“COVID-19 is still with us, even if the public-health measures we once employed are no longer in use. As such, respiratory virus season carries increased risks for the most vulnerable. We must be vigilant to ensure that our hospitals, clinics, and PCHs are prepared for any seasonal spikes.”
