People over 95, First Nations people over 75 now eligible for coronavirus vaccine in Manitoba

The Manitoban government has opened up eligibility for the coronavirus vaccine to all residents over the age of 95 in the province, CTV News reports.

Members of First Nations communities, whether they live on or off reserve, are eligible for the vaccine if they are over the age of 75, however.

Manitoba’s Vaccine Implementation Task Force medical lead Dr. Joss Reimer said those seeking to book an appointment can call 1-844-626-8222, where they will be required to offer their health card number.

Indigenous people seeking to get vaccinated will be asked to confirm their identity in order to prevent people from falsely claiming Indigenous status.

"We want to make sure that this is done in a way that is safe for people, and does not exclude our First Nations relatives who – because of the complicated and various process of colonization – do not have Indian status cards," said Dr. Marcia Anderson, public health lead of the Manitoba First Nation Pandemic Response Coordination Team.

Those who do not have a status card will be asked to provide the status card of a first degree relative.

"Our goal will be to ensure that all First Nations people, regardless of their status under the Indian Act, have equitable access to the vaccine," Anderson said.

Equity, is the practice of actively discriminating against certain groups of people in order to achieve equality of outcome. It is distinct from equality of opportunity, whereby discrimination is gotten rid of in order to allow people the freedom to pursue their desires regardless of the result.

According to Dr. Anderson, Indigenous people have suffered more severely under the coronavirus pandemic, and as a result must be prioritized for vaccinations.