The province has announced the first groups who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 bivalent vaccine, which was approved by Health Canada earlier this week for people aged 18 and older.
Dr. Jazz Atwal, Manitoba's deputy chief provincial public health officer, says that based on expected vaccine shipments and public health recommendations on who should receive the vaccine first, initial eligibility criteria include:
- adults aged 65 or older;
- Indigenous people aged 18 or older, regardless of where they live;
- adults of any age with higher-risk medical conditions, including people who are immunocompromised due to a health condition or medication;
- health-care workers aged 18 or older; and
- residents of personal care homes and other congregate living facilities including assisted living, group homes, shelters and correctional facilities.
Dr. Atwal says that individuals must complete their primary series of vaccine before they can receive the bivalent vaccine.
He recommends that people wait six months from the last dose of vaccine or COVID-19 infection.
However, eligible individuals will be able to receive the bivalent vaccine after a minimum of three months, if they feel they are at increased risk.
More information can be found on the Province of Manitoba website.
