Dr. Reimer answers biggest questions about vaccines as Manitoba pushes to get more sign-ups for 1st doses

The speed at which COVID-19 vaccines were developed is one of the topconcernskeeping people from getting their shots and Manitoba is working to address those worries in a final push to reach targets that will trigger its third stage of reopening.

The technology used for approved COVID-19 vaccines isn't anything new it's just been adapted for a new purpose, Dr. Joss Reimer, the Manitoba vaccine task force'smedical lead, said at a news conference on Wednesday.

"The science behind these vaccines is solid. It's built on technology that we know and that we understand," Reimer said.

"The simplest comparison might be that while the message we needed to send to our immune system was different, we already knew which envelopes to use."

Reimer'scomments come one day after Manitoba passed the second milestone in its reopening plan which ties loosening restrictions to getting a certain percentage of eligible people vaccinated more than a month ahead of schedule.

The next target is to get toat least 80 per cent of Manitobanswith a first dose and 75 per cent with both by Labour Day.

WATCH | Dr. Reimer explains how COVID-19 vaccines were developed:

Dr. Joss Reimer on how COVID-19 vaccines were developed quickly and safely

3 years ago

Duration 5:05

Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead of Manitoba's vaccine task force, took time Wednesday to explain how COVID-19 vaccines were developed rapidly and safely, in response to questions from the public.

As of Wednesday, those numbers hovered at 75.3 per cent for first doses and 52.8 per centfor both.

Still, officials estimate that goal will be met sometime in mid-August, according to Manitoba'slatest vaccine technical briefing document, wellahead of the Sept. 6 deadline.

But the province is still roughly 33,000 first doses and 100,000 second doses away from that goal, not including 180,000 appointments already scheduled in the weeks ahead,Premier Brian Pallister said earlier Wednesday.

Withthe number of people getting their first doses levelling off, Reimerused the vaccine team's weekly update to speak directly to those still hesitant about getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

Another common concern surroundshow fast the vaccines were approved for use, she said, which makes people fear that steps were skipped and the immunizations aren't safe.

But the COVID-19 vaccines being used across the countrywent through the same review and approval process by Health Canada that any other immunization goes through.

What's changed is that because of the emergency presented by the pandemic, some of the administrative timelines were condensed, Reimer said.

For example, companies working on COVID-19 vaccines were prioritized so they didn't have to wait in line to have their products reviewed.

WATCH | Dr. Reimer on how COVID-19 vaccines were approved quickly and safely:

Dr. Joss Reimer on how COVID-19 vaccines were approved for use safely

3 years ago

Duration 3:31

Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead of Manitoba's vaccine task force, took time Wednesday to explain how COVID-19 vaccines were approved for use, in response to questions from the public.

And while vaccine companies usually have to wait to complete all three trial phases before they can submit their vaccines for approval, those working on COVID-19 shots were able to submit that data for review as it came in.

"So while the same review occurred, it meant that less time was required at the end of the Phase 3 trial in order to get approval," Reimer said.

Vaccine demand will determine reopening

Manitoba met its first two reopening targets ahead of schedule, including its second goalwhich was just reachedon Tuesday,nearly a month early.

But the province's final milestone will take longer to reach, and it comes as Manitoba enters a phase of its vaccine rollout it's never seen before.

With more than 500,000 doses expected to be delivered by the end of the month and thousands in the province still hesitant to roll up their sleeves,the factor that will decide whether Manitoba meets its next target is now demand for the vaccine not supply,said Johanu Botha, the task force's operations lead, alongside Reimer.

"It is really about how many Manitobans show up and how quickly they show up to pump up those Dose 1 and Dose 2 targets," he said.

"Our next vaccine milestones are within reach. But we can't do it without you."

WATCH |Johanu Botha on how vaccine demand will decide next steps:

Manitoba at 'a new place' in vaccine rollout where supply likely to exceed daily demand: Johanu Botha

3 years ago

Duration 1:53

Johanu Botha, operations manager of Manitoba's COVID-19 vaccine task force, said Wednesday the province's vaccine rollout is at a point where supply is likely to exceed daily demand.

Pallister said Manitobans can expect new public health orders next week, followingTuesday's milestone achievement of 75 per cent of eligible Manitobans having one vaccine dose and 50 per cent having both the second goal in the province's reopening plan.

The first goal under that plan getting to 70 per cent of people with one dose and 25 per cent with two by Canada Day was also reached ahead of schedule. Restrictions eased on June 26, five days early.