Manitoba not offering third dose, says there are 'no clear signs' of benefit
A move by Quebec to offer an additional COVID-19 vaccine to people prompted questions about Manitoba’s plans.
There are concerns some countries and businesses may not allow people who received mixed doses to enter.
But the province’s vaccine task force is hopeful that will change.
“I do anticipate that while they’re starting with very strict and cautious eligibility that most countries and most businesses will be expanding to accept mixed schedules because a mixed schedule is being offered in many countries,” said Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead of Manitoba’s vaccine task force.
Right now, Manitoba has no plans to offer an additional dose for travel or any other reason like Quebec.
“We can’t recommend a third dose to individuals where we know that there is a very small, but not zero risk associated with each dose of the vaccine,” Reimer said.
Reimer also said there’s no clear clinical benefit to receiving a third dose but she said the province is monitoring early data from Pfizer suggesting a third dose boosts protection against the Delta variant.
READ MORE: Pfizer claims 3rd dose 'strongly' boosts protection against Delta variant
Ryan Baxter, a University of Manitoba Masters student, received a mix of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. He also got one shot in Ontario and the second in Manitoba and is still waiting for the province to recognize his first injection.
While he has no imminent plans for international travel, he feels Canada is privileged to help those who do.
“I think we’re fortunate here in Canada that if those who’ve received AstraZeneca once or twice are supposed to receive a third dose of some kind of vaccine before travelling, I mean we’re fortunate that we have more than enough supply to do that for people,” Baxter said.
It comes on a day when some people, including international student Ramandeep Kaur, just finished getting their second dose.
Kaur got the shot at a vaccination clinic on the University of Manitoba campus.
“I feel more protected,” she said afterwards.
Task force officials said the province remains on track to hit its goal of getting one dose to 80 per cent of eligible Manitobans and two doses to 75 per cent by Labour Day.
But the province will be adjusting hours of operation at super sites in August, to focus more on vaccine delivery through clinics in the community.
“We are continuing our shift towards the focus on volume towards access and accessibility,” said Johanu Botha, the task force’s logistics and planning lead
The vaccine task force also said once the school year starts, it may look at allowing children born in 2009 who are 11 years old but turning 12 to get vaccinated.
Officials said right now they’re only vaccinating people 12 and older because that’s who’s approved to receive the vaccine.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway.
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
Have you been removed from your family doctor’s patient list for visiting an Ontario walk-in clinic?
Some Ontarians are expressing frustration after they said that they were removed from their family doctor’s patient list for visiting a walk-in clinic in a process being called “de-rostering.”
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.