16 May 2021
On Friday, the province announced the age eligibility was lowered for COVID-19 vaccines.
Portage Community Revitalization Corporation executive director Victoria Espey says this came along with slight clarifications from the province on who should be using these Indigenous-led clinics.
Dr. Joss Reimer with the province’s vaccine task force noted the urban Indigenous clinics are designed to increase accessibility and provide culturally safe spaces for First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. When non-Indigenous people make appointments or use the walk-in spaces at these sites, it limits their access.
“Anybody who currently has an appointment booked at our urban Indigenous vaccine clinic who is non-Indigenous, those appointments are still in place,” says Espey. “So, please show up to your appointment because you will be vaccinated. Right now, our priority, though, is vaccinating First Nations — status, non-status, Inuit, and Métis people who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Especially with the announcement now of Pfizer being an approved vaccine to vaccinate those aged 12 and up, we’re going to have an influx of people trying to make appointments at our clinic. It’s very important that we are providing appointments to our target demographic.”