BREAKING: Manitoba premier announces deal with North Dakota to have truckers vaccinated in US

Manitoba Premier Bryan Pallister announced a "joint initiative" between Manitoba and the state of North Dakota, revealing that truckers who cross at the border would soon be able to schedule vaccinations, free of charge.

Pallister made the announcement during a Tuesday press conference, where he said that 4,000 Canadian truckers would be vaccinated "within eight weeks."

The Essential Worker Cross-Border Vaccination Initiative will administer COVID-19 vaccinations to Manitoba-based truck drivers transporting goods to and from the United States. This is the first such program between a Canadian and American jurisdiction.

"North Dakota and Manitoba have a long and rich history of friendship and co-operation, and this vaccination initiative is an opportunity to strengthen that bond by offering assistance that will protect public health and the flow of goods and services on both sides of the border," wrote North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.

"With adequate vaccine supplies and all North Dakotans having access to vaccine while Canada is dealing with a vaccine shortage, we want to do our part to ensure essential workers from Canada who are frequently travelling through our state are vaccinated. The timely and effective administration of vaccines is essential for public health and the eventual safe reopening of our shared border."

The initiative will work in assistance with the Manitoba Trucking Association to work with eligible individuals to schedule vaccine appointments, a joint statement from the Manitoba and North Dakota government says.

"As Manitoba faces the third wave of the pandemic and the significant challenges associated with variants of concern, our number one limiting factor in protecting Manitobans is the availability of COVID-19 vaccines," Pallister said. "Manitoba is proud to partner with North Dakota on this innovative strategy to provide life-saving vaccines to Manitoba’s essential workers delivering the goods and services Manitobans, Canadians and Americans rely on. Manitoba and North Dakota have enjoyed a strong relationship of mutual respect and friendship, and I want to thank Governor Burgum and his team for their willingness to support Manitoba through this joint vaccination effort."

North Dakota and Manitoba share the fifth-busiest border crossing between the United States and Canada.