Manitoba Health advises that eligibility for the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine is being expanded to include anyone 18 years of age and older. It is recommended that people wait six months from their last dose to get their bivalent booster vaccine, as this provides the best immune response. However, the minimum interval between a person’s last dose and their booster is three months.
Newly eligible people can begin booking appointments on Sept. 22 at 9 a.m. using the online booking tool, by contacting the vaccine call centre at (toll-free) 1-844-626-8222 (1-844-MAN-VACC) or by contacting medical clinics and pharmacies directly. Vaccine appointments are also now available at the recently opened vaccine clinic at 1680 Notre Dame Ave. in Winnipeg.
The bivalent vaccine has been developed to provide protection against two strains of COVID-19: the original strain of the virus and the omicron BA.1 variant, which is no longer dominant. Public health recommends that adults who are due for a booster get the bivalent vaccine, as it provides additional protection from omicron variants of COVID-19. This booster is also important because protection against COVID-19, either from previous immunizations or an infection, decreases over time. Adults can also choose to receive the monovalent (original) vaccine as their fall booster dose if they do not wish to receive the bivalent.
As of Sept. 19, 3,216 doses of bivalent vaccine have been administered in Manitoba and entered in the provincial immunization database. Additionally, immunizations at personal care homes and other congregate living facilities are underway, and the health-care system is leading vaccine clinics for staff. Manitoba has also made an initial shipment of 9,800 doses of bivalent vaccine for First Nation communities to launch immunization campaigns. Additional information about vaccine uptake is regularly updated at canada.ca.
The Manitoba government is launching an awareness campaign next week encouraging Manitobans to get their bivalent booster, which will include print, radio, digital, social media and billboard advertisements.
Children aged five to 17 can receive a booster of the monovalent (original) vaccine.
