Increased vaccine supply will open doors to walk-ins next week

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This article was published 16/06/2021 (1592 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba’s COVID-19 vaccine task force will open its supersite clinics to walk-in clients to boost immunization rates and to handle a torrent of doses set to arrive before the end of the month.

Starting next week, the province’s mass vaccination clinics, with the exception of the RBC Convention Centre, will put aside 10 per cent of Moderna vaccine supply for walk-in clients.

The walk-in model proved popular Wednesday, as hundreds of people — some with shade umbrellas and others with lawn chairs — queued on the outdoor pitches at the Winnipeg Soccer Federation’s north complex (770 Leila Ave.) for a chance at getting a shot of the Pfizer vaccine.

“People are here to get it done and are doing their part,” said John Bellino, who joined the line at about noon. “I’m proud to be Manitoban to see the people sitting here prepared… Whether it’s a blizzard or whether it’s waiting for a vaccine, Manitobans are hardy and they know what they need to do.”

As part of a pilot project, the province said the vaccine clinic at the northwest Winnipeg soccer complex would offer about 3,000 Pfizer shots to eligible walk-in clients over a three-day period, ending Thursday afternoon.

By 3 p.m. Wednesday — two hours in — staff were forced to turn people away after reaching capacity.

Bellino, who was still 252nd in line late Wednesday, likened the atmosphere of the lengthy queue to that of a Manitoba social, as people talked about what life will be like after getting vaccinated and COVID-19 is less of a threat.

“It’s encouraging. Everybody’s here to get a shot for themselves, but you can see that there’s a general concern and care for everybody else,” he said.

Johanu Botha, operations, planning and logistics lead for the Manitoba vaccine task force, said walk-in clinics have been successful at generating interest; however, he reassured those with booked appointments they would not have to wait in such lines. Moving forward, doses offered to walk-in clients will be Moderna, which is only approved for adults, he said.

“There will be those coming for their second dose because it’s earlier than their appointment or because it’s more convenient, and then there are those, hopefully many, who haven’t had a first dose yet, and we really want them to come to this convenient option,” Botha said.

“First-dose individuals, as much as possible, will get their dose, and second-dose individuals, if they need to be bumped for someone who is a first dose, that will happen.”

Botha cautioned, unlike the appointment-based system, people showing up for walk-in vaccinations will wait in lineups and may be turned away if capacity is reached.

As of Sunday, the clinics in Brandon, Dauphin and Morden, as well as the supersite at Leila Avenue, will accept walk-in clients during regular operating hours. Walk-ins will begin Tuesday in Selkirk and Gimli, and June 24 in Steinbach.

The shift from a strictly appointment-based system at the mass vaccination clinics is due to two substantial deliveries of Moderna vaccine set to soon arrive.

A delivery of 105,300 doses will land in Manitoba by Sunday. Another 204,100 doses will enter the province by June 27.

The deluge of Moderna is in addition to two regular shipments of 87,800 doses of the Pfizer vaccine that will arrive in the same time period. Most of the incoming Pfizer doses have already been spoken for by Manitobans who have booked appointments for that vaccine well into July.

Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead for the vaccine task force, encouraged people wanting to get their second shot earlier to call the vaccine hotline to reschedule their appointment and receive a Moderna dose, or drop by as a walk-in.

The province has permitted Manitobans to mix and match mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna).

“We know that with this new Moderna shipment there will be new options for people to get the second dose, so by no means are they required to stick with the appointment that they had previously booked,” Reimer said.

In general, the province recommends people receive the same type of mRNA vaccine for both the first and second dose, when possible. though Pfizer and Moderna are interchangeable and people do not have to wait for the same vaccine to become available.

An additional 40,000 appointments for Moderna shots were added in Winnipeg next week, and 30,000 doses will be sent out to approximately 500 doctors and pharmacists across Manitoba, Botha said.

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca