Portage la Prairie's City Council has set some lofty goals when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations.

City Council has passed a resolution that encourages all residents of Portage la Prairie to be vaccinated, with the goal of being the city with the highest vaccination rate per capita in the province. Mayor Irvine Ferris outlines the struggles that have come with the third wave.

"We know that COVID-19 has seriously impacted the health of our residents," Ferris said, "put significant strain on our local health care systems, our health care providers, and cause significant financial hardship for residents and businesses in our city."

Ferris also went on to explain how the more people that get vaccinated, the quicker we can put all of COVID-19 behind us and get back to pre-COVID life.

"We know that evidence shows that communities with a higher rate of residents that are vaccinated have a better chance of avoiding significant community spread of viruses like COVID-19." Ferris explained. "And therefore higher community vaccination rates lead to a safer, healthier community and a faster transition back to pre-COVID-19 community activities."

Ferris has received his first dose of the COVID vaccine and anyone aged 12 and up are now eligible to receive their first dose. To schedule an appointment, call 1-844-626-8222.