Manitoba’s Covid-19 vaccine verification app is the latest in a series of government programs to have its plug pulled due to a lack of use and relevancy.
Despite lifting vaccine requirements last year, the Manitoba government indicated that it would keep the application around citing a demand from businesses who wanted to continue using it.
“We’ve heard from some venues, some businesses, that they are interested in keeping the proof of vaccine beyond that date,” said Manitoba’s chief public health officer Brent Roussin last year.
“We can confirm that the Manitoba immunization card and the verifier app will be available beyond March 1 [2022] for those who want to continue to use that.”
As of Feb. 8, the Government of Manitoba website still stated that the app could be used by businesses and venues wishing to require proof of immunization.
“Some businesses / venues may choose to continue to require proof of immunization for access. Manitoba’s immunization card and verifier app will continue to be available for this purpose,” the website states.
Other pandemic-related government applications have also been discontinued as Canada moves out of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last year, Ottawa pulled the plug on ArriveCAN after facing pushback from airline industries complaining that it was an unnecessary burden that contributed to airport delays and long lineups.
Originally costing $80,000 the program ballooned to a $54 million pricetag due to maintenance fees.
The federal government also scrapped the Covid Alert infection tracking application.
Despite dumping $20 million into the program, Canada’s top public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam admitted that it went underused.
“The app was not being utilized to a huge extent. Not all innovations might work,” wrote Tam.
“(It was) a good go at trying to utilize another tool in the current era of apps to try and protect the population.”
