Manitoba is expanding access for a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine to all adults in the province.
In a release Wednesday health officials said everyone 18 and older can now get a booster shot, with the third dose recommended especially for those who are at an increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19, their caregivers and close contacts.
Earlier this month Manitoba expanded third dose eligibility to include all First Nations, Metis and Inuit people.
The shots have also previously been available for anyone over the age of 70.
People seeking to get a booster should be mindful of the timeline – there must be six months between the second and third dose, health officials say.
More information on eligibility is available on the province’s website.
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.
To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out. In situations where you can’t keep a safe distance from others, public health officials recommend the use of a non-medical face mask or covering to prevent spreading the respiratory droplets that can carry the virus. In some provinces and municipalities across the country, masks or face coverings are now mandatory in indoor public spaces.
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