All Manitoba adults now eligible for bivalent COVID-19 vaccine

All Manitobans aged 18 years and older are now eligible to receive the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine.

Appointments can be booked starting Thursday at 9 a.m. by calling the vaccine call centre at 1-844-626-8222, using the online vaccine booking tool or by calling pharmacies and clinics directly.

“We have to remember that our immunity to COVID-19 does wane over time,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer.

Roussin added, “This booster is a great way to recharge that immunity, boost that immunity once again.”

The province recommends people wait six months from their last dose of a COVID vaccine to receive the bivalent booster vaccine, which provides protection against the original strain of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, as it will provide the best immune response.

The province notes the minimum interval after your last vaccine dose to receive a booster is three months.

“We know that COVID is going to continue to circulate, so the best protection is to ensure you’re up to date with your booster doses,” Roussin said.

Roussin said the province is not seeing the uptake of fourth doses it would like to see, and is telling all Manitobans to book their appointments now that they’re eligible.

According to a news release from the province, as of Monday, 3,216 doses of the bivalent vaccine have been administered in Manitoba and entered into the province’s database. Immunizations at personal care homes and other congregate living centres are underway.

Children aged five to 17 can receive a booster of the original COVID vaccine, the province said. Roussin added the original COVID vaccine is also available for people unable to get the bivalent vaccine.