WINNIPEG – The province continues to book appointments for people to get the COVID-19 vaccine starting Wednesday.

Fewer than half of the initial 900 doses remain.

A phone number to make an appointment was released on the weekend but the line has been overwhelmed with calls, many of them from people not eligible yet to get the shot.

First priority is being given to health care workers who come in direct contact with patients. They must also meet one of these requirements:

• work in a critical care unit and born on or before December 31st, 1970;

• work in an acute care facility and born on or before December 31st, 1960;

• work in a long-term care facility and born on or before December 31st, 1960; or

• be assigned to work at a COVID-19 immunization clinic.