Firefighters, police officers, and more are next in line for the COVID-19 vaccine, with many others waiting in the wings.

Starting as soon as next week, more details will be revealed as to how front-line workers can get a COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Joss Reimer, co-lead of the COVID-19 Immunization Task Force, says these positions have not yet been determined.

"Our team is working on more detailed plans to support this work so we can align these groups with what vaccine is available," Reimer says in a Friday briefing.

This will include people over the age of 18 living in communities where there is more COVID-19 transmission. Specified front-line public-facing jobs will also be included, such as police offices and firefighters.

Over the past month, the Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police, Mayor Brian Bowman, and others have advocated for specific workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine. After town halls across the province, this will be happening. 

Age eligibility has also expanded to include those aged 57 or older and First Nation people aged 37 or older. For those struggling to find transportation to the clinics, United Way’s 211 is set to help.

"Once an eligible person has a confirmed appointment, they can call 211 to identify available options. Individuals are responsible for the cost of their transportation service, which could include a handi-transit, taxi or a shuttle service," the province says in a statement.

Currently, 317,830 doses of vaccine have been administered across the province to 248,523 people. The province has 168,980 of its total 486,810  does on standby in freezers.

Total received doses include:

• 284,310 doses of Pfizer vaccine
• 118,400 doses of the Moderna vaccine
• 84,100 doses of the AstraZeneca/Covishield vaccine

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