COVID-19 vaccine second doses opening to all eligible Manitobans on Friday
All Manitobans eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine will be able to book a second dose starting on Friday.
Johanu Botha, operations, logistics and planning lead of Manitoba’s Vaccine Implementation Task Force, said starting at 11:45 a.m. on Friday, second-dose eligibility will be opened up to everyone.
He said all eligible Manitobans booking appointments on Friday must book a date that is 28 days after their first dose.
Botha said now every supersite except the RBC Supersite is offering walk-ins. The number of doses available at each location for walk-in appointments will vary, he said.
"We will continue to do our best to prioritize people who need their first dose when they come for walk-ins, but second-dose people can still choose to try the walk-in option," he said.
As of Thursday, the province reported 71.9 per cent of eligible Manitobans had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 30.8 per cent had received two doses.
"Your first dose is absolutely critical to protecting you, protecting your family, and protecting the people that you come in contact with," said Dr. Joss Reimer, the medical lead of the task force.
"There are many people who face barriers in getting the vaccine, and so all of the outreach and community work is essential in order to meet the needs of these individuals."
Reimer urged those who do not face barriers but are waiting to get their first dose of the vaccine to book an appointment now.
PARENTS, CAREGIVERS NOW ABLE TO TRANSFER PFIZER APPOINTMENT TO CHILDREN
The province is also preparing for a Pfizer supply slowdown from the province, leaving only a limited number of appointments for the Pfizer vaccine available.
READ MORE: COVID-19 vaccine appointment bookings for Manitoba youth paused due to Pfizer slowdown
"Our Pfizer supply in the short term is extremely limited," Botha said. "Right now, that is the only type of vaccine approved for young people aged 12 to 17."
Botha said as an interim solution, parents and caregivers who have an upcoming Pfizer appointment can now transfer that appointment to their child.
Those who transfer a Pfizer appointment can instead book a Moderna vaccine appointment for themselves.
Reimer said for parents and children who are not able to do this, it is okay to have a slightly longer timeframe between doses.
"If your second dose happens later than 28 days, I don't want you to worry about how well it will work," she said, adding studies have shown longer delays between doses can lead to a stronger immune response.
"While we do want people to be immunized as quickly as possible, we don't want you to worry about how well that second dose will work if you do have to wait a bit longer to get it."
Anyone who would like to change their appointment can call 1-844-626-8222.
PROVINCE TO TEST EXTENDED HOURS AT RBC, LEILA SUPERSITES
Botha said the province is expected to receive hundreds of thousands of doses of the Moderna vaccine in the near future.
Because of this, Botha said the province will be testing extended hours at the RBC and Leila supersite locations on June 28. He said appointments are available from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
"As we've said, nothing is off the table, so certainly extending hours further with more supply coming in is under consideration, especially if it works well and supply does arrive," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.