A shift is coming to Manitoba's vaccine rollout as the province is on the heels of a vaccination milestone.

As of Friday morning, 79.5 per cent of all eligible Manitobans have received their first COVID-19 vaccine. At the same time, 69.3 per cent of people received their second dose.

In order ot have a full reopening, 80 per cent of people need to have gotten their first dose, and 75 per cent their second.

 

Returning vaccines

At the end of August, 5,500 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine sitting in Manitoba freezers were set to expire. 

The province says they have sent them back to the federal government, which will donate to other countries in need.

"There is unexpired AstraZeneca doses remaining at participating medical clinics and pharmacists to administer to who still wish to receive a dose of AstraZeneca," the province says in a statement.

Manitoba received a total of 91,760 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

 

Perceived AstraZeneca risk

This vaccine type has faced criticism since its release after a rare risk of blood clots, amounting to a one in 55,000 chance. The vaccine stopped being used in many parts of the world, including a Canadian province, Alberta, opting to not use them.

In a study not-yet peer-reviewed, researchers looking at more than 1.3 million people who were vaccinated found there was no greater blood clot risk in AstraZeneca than Pfizer's vaccine, but a significantly greater risk of blood clots if an unvaccinated person gets COVID-19.

 

Workforce changes

Starting on Saturday, supersites are changing. 

"Part of that shift will involve adjusting the days and hours of operation in super sites across the province."

Staff shift changes will be happening, but no positions are being reduced.