Based on updated recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, Manitoba Health is revising its guidance on booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine for young people aged 12 to 17. A first booster dose of an mRNA vaccine should be offered to those who:
- have underlying medical conditions;
- belong to racialized or marginalized communities that are disproportionately affected by COVID-19; or
- live in shelters, group homes or correctional facilities.
In addition, a booster dose may now be offered to all young people in this age group. Booster doses should be given at least six months after their first two doses.
Manitoba’s initial delivery of the Novavax vaccine has arrived and will be distributed to health-care providers who have ordered it beginning next week. Health-care providers have been asked to update their information with the online vaccine finder once it is available to clients. Novavax is approved for people aged 18 and older. Two doses are recommended to be considered fully immunized with at least eight weeks between doses.
As of April 15, all provincial testing sites will be closed to the general public. PCR testing is now only available through primary health-care providers for eligible individuals. For more information about eligibility, visit gov.mb.ca. Pre-operative patients can continue to make COVID-19 testing appointments by contacting the Dakota Medical Centre at 204-254-2087 or the Minor Illness and Injury Clinic through their website at covidwpg.com.
To help make rapid tests more accessible throughout Manitoba, the province is expanding its partnership with libraries across Manitoba. Shipments to libraries outside Winnipeg are expected to begin next week. Manitobans can contact their local library for more information about availability. Last weekend, more than 34,000 rapid test kits were distributed at pop-up locations at St. Vital Centre and CF Polo Park.
Manitoba continues to post weekly COVID-19 epidemiology reports at gov.mb.ca.
