April 27, 2023
Manitoba Government Welcomes Auditor General Report on COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
– – –Findings Will Strengthen Provincial Response to Future Public Health Emergencies: Gordon
The Manitoba government has received a new report from the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) on Manitoba’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Health Minister Audrey Gordon announced today.
“The Manitoba government acted quickly to procure COVID-19 vaccines and ensure safe, effective and equitable access to as many Manitobans as possible while prioritizing high-risk populations,” said Gordon. “The OAG’s report recognizes the successes of the Manitoba government’s rollout and provides insights that will inform and strengthen future planning and improve our response to future public health emergencies.”
The OAG examined two key criteria and determined the Manitoba government effectively and appropriately managed the COVID-19 vaccine rollout including the management of the vaccine inventory and the administration and prioritization of vaccines for Manitobans. The report reviewed 10 vaccination eligibility expansions and found all were reasonable prioritizations, and that vaccine wastage was kept to the minimum desired benchmark of five per cent.
The Manitoba government’s COVID-19 vaccine campaign launched in December 2020. By April 2022, more than 85 per cent of eligible Manitobans had been fully immunized with at least two doses of the vaccine. The minister recognized the work of the Vaccine Implementation Task Force and its efforts to build a strong immunization program through continuous improvement, learning, assessing, planning and adapting.
The OAG report includes recommendations on preparing for the next large-scale public health emergency. To read the full report, visit https://www.oag.mb.ca/audit-reports/.
For more information about the Manitoba government’s COVID-19 vaccine campaign, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19 and protectmb.ca.
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