Who is eligible for a medical exemption to the COVID-19 vaccine in Manitoba
Manitoba’s Vaccine Implementation Task Force has specified who is eligible for a temporary or permanent medical exemption to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Medical Lead Dr. Joss Reimer made the announcement at a news conference Wednesday.
“As I’ve said before, the vast majority of eligible Manitobans can and should be immunized to protect themselves and the people around them,” Dr. Reimer said. “However, we did recognize that we needed a process for this small group of people who have a significant and legitimate medical reason for being exempt from getting the vaccine.”
Reimer said exemptions are available to Manitobans in three scenarios; those who have had a severe reaction after the first dose of the vaccine, such as myocarditis or Guillain-Barré syndrome; those who are currently receiving treatment that affects their ability to mount an immune defense; and those who had a severe allergy or anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose that cannot be managed by the Health Sciences Centre Allergy Clinic.
Reimer said these exemptions are intentionally aimed at a small group of people.
“I do want to be very clear that the process is not a note from your doctor,” Dr. Reimer said.
Reimer said those who think they are eligible for a medical exemption should first contact their primary health care provider to discuss their condition and to determine whether they should be submitted to a clinical specialist for review.
“Most people who would be eligible for an exemption, which may be temporary, will already have an ongoing relationship with a specialist physician, but some of those cases that I listed may require a referral,” Dr. Reimer said.
Each case must also be submitted to the Vaccine Implementation Task Force.
Reimer said the task force is also developing a way to ensure those with a valid medical exemption have something available to them that is equivalent to the vaccination card. This is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'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.