Immunocompromised people in Manitoba, those looking to travel can get third COVID-19 vaccine dose
Manitobans with certain conditions that leave them immunocompromised will be able to receive a third dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, along with those who are looking to travel.
Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead of Manitoba’s vaccine task force, said on Wednesday the third dose will be available to people with certain conditions, including those who are receiving chemotherapy, or those who wish to receive a third dose for travel purposes.
A third dose will also be available for Manitobans who have received one or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not approved by Health Canada.
The process takes effect Wednesday.
Reimer said the decision follows guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization released last week.
“For those who are immunocompromised, two doses of the vaccine may not provide adequate defence against COVID-19, particularly given concerns of the highly contagious Delta variant,” she said.
In addition to those receiving chemotherapy, other medical conditions that are accepted include people who have received a solid organ transplant, people living with untreated or advanced HIV-AIDS, and people taking medications that severely affect their immune system.
A full list can be found online.
People who are immunocompromised, or would like to receive the third dose for travel purposes, must be immunized by their health-care provider.
Those who received a vaccine not approved by Health Canada can be immunized at pop-up sites, vaccine clinics, or by their health-care provider.
The third dose should be given a minimum of 28 days after the most recent COVID-19 vaccine dose.
Reimer said the third dose is primarily for people who haven’t received enough of an immune response after two doses.
“We’re not talking about the general public, or people with an immune system that functions normally, we’re talking about people who really need that additional trigger before their immune system is able to respond in a way that is more protective for them,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The World Health Organization said on Friday that the current overall public health risk posed by H5N1 bird flu virus is low, but for those with exposure to infected birds or animals the risk of infection is considered low-to-moderate.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.