All Manitoba adults now eligible for third COVID vaccine dose

Manitoba expanded access to a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on November 10. All adults aged 18 or older can now book a booster shot at least six months after their second dose, or sooner in very limited circumstances. The province is recommending the third dose to individuals who are at an increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19, their caregivers, and close contacts. Third doses can be provided at any location that offers the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Right now, a combination of waning immunity for some individuals and too many people who are still unvaccinated is a health risk that we want to avoid as much as possible, said Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead of Manitoba’s vaccine task force, during a news conference.

Reimer also reiterated that while vaccines provide strong protection, they aren’t perfect; it is possible to get infected or spread COVID-19 even after a person has received two doses. However, current infection rates in Manitoba range from six to nine times higher in the unvaccinated, and hospitalization rates range from 10 to 20 times higher. “It’s dramatically different, said Reimer.