Three doctors from our region participated in a virtual town hall discussion Monday night to answer questions people had about COVID-19 vaccines.

The event was organized by Doctors Manitoba and featured Dr. Don Klassen with the C.W. Wiebe Medical Centre in Winkler and Dr. Kevin Convery and Dr. Kathryn Martin, both from Morden's Menzies Medical Centre. They were joined in a panel discussion with Dr. Joss Reimer, the medical lead of the Manitoba Vaccine Implementation Task Force.

John P. Klassen, a recently retired pastor who has served in Southern Manitoba for 35 years moderated the event.

The panel of doctors fielded a variety of questions ranging from vaccine safety and development to alternative treatments for COVID-19.

Dr. Klassen feels the town hall event was a worthwhile exercise.

"We set out to give good information, to answer the questions that seem to be at the top of people's minds, to persuade them to speak to their own health care provider if they still had questions. We obviously are advocating that people get their vaccinations because we think it is the major tool that we have to get us to the point where we can reopen our communities."

The town hall discussion was broadcast on YouTube and was the first in a series of four virtual meetings that will be held this week. Tonight's event will provide vaccination information for youth and parents.

Dr. Klassen was asked if the information the panel provided will change some minds when it comes to getting their shot.

"Changing minds is sometimes a process and hopefully we were able to provide information that was helpful to people in that process. If we happen to change a mind or two along the way, or hopefully a few more, then that would be considered a success."

The province announced on Monday it has surpassed the vaccination mark of 70 per cent for first doses. However, the vaccine uptake for several communities in the Pembina Valley has lagged well behind.