New initiative will allow Canadian truckers to receive COVID-19 vaccination in Montana

Around 2,000 Canadian truck drivers will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations in Montana starting on May 10 thanks to a deal brokered between Montana and its northern neighbor Alberta, according to a news release put out by Gov. Greg Gianfrote’s office.

Gianforte and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said the deal is essential to keeping trade channels open.

“We’re doing everything we can to get a vaccine into Albertans’ arms as fast as possible, including by forging this innovative agreement with Montana,” Kenney said. “We are deeply grateful to Montana Governor Gianforte and the U.S. government for their generous donation of vaccines to protect our truckers. Alberta depends on trade with our American neighbors, and this program will ensure our goods get to market while stopping the spike of COVID-19.”

The program is called the Montana-Alberta-Cross-Border Vaccination Initiative and will be in place for at least six months, with the option to extend it further, according to the Memorandum of Understanding. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and Bozeman-based Best Practice Medicine will work together to staff the vaccination sites and administer vaccines.

Read more: https://dailymontanan.com/briefs/new-initiative-will-allow-canadian-truckers-to-receive-covid-19-vaccination-in-montana/