Local trucking companies were excited to hear about North Dakota's offer to vaccinate Manitoban truckers for free.

The Essential Worker Cross-Border Vaccination Initiative between Manitoba and North Dakota was announced on Tuesday. Through this program, North Dakota will administer COVID-19 vaccinations to Manitoba-based truck drivers transporting goods to and from the United States. Vaccines and the cost of administering vaccines will be covered by the United States Government.

Jeremy Messner is Vice President, Business Development at Big Freight. He says this initiative is a positive development for the Manitoba trucking industry and for all Manitobans.

"We are excited about the opportunity to have more of our professional truck drivers vaccinated and protected from the risks of Covid-19 while they do the essential work of keeping our economy moving. At the same time, this will free up vaccine availability for other professional drivers and essential workers who do not travel to North Dakota. It’s a win-win solution.

Messner thanks the Province of Manitoba, the State of North Dakota, and the Manitoba Trucking Association for putting this together."

rt drivers cross the border into the US so dozens of their employees could also be vaccinated.