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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.