Manitoba to prioritize front-line workers for vaccines

The Manitoba government is expanding its COVID-19 vaccine program to prioritize first responders, teachers and other front-line workers.

In addition to the province's current age-related criteria, front-line police officers and firefighters of all ages are now eligible to book a shot.

On Friday, the province is to reveal a list of high-risk geographic areas, and anyone 18 and over living in those areas will also be eligible.

People not in the high-risk zones, but who work there in certain jobs involving the public, will be eligible as well.

Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead of the province's vaccine committee, says the list includes restaurant workers, grocery and convenience store clerks, and people who work in schools and child-care centres.

She says determining the high-risk areas will be based on factors such as COVID-19 case counts, population density and income levels.