A number of groups of Manitobans will be eligible for the new COVID-19 bivalent vaccine — which was approved by Health Canada earlier this week — when it becomes available in this province this month.
Dr. Jazz Atwal, Manitoba’s deputy chief provincial public health officer, said Friday that the province is expecting a shipment of 27,650 doses next week, as well as an additional 77,600 doses confirmed for the week of Sept. 12.
This vaccine has been developed to protect against both the original strain of the virus and the omicron variant.
The first people who can access the vaccine are adults 65 and older, Indigenous people 18 or older, adults with high-risk medical conditions, including those who are immunocompromised, healthcare workers, and care home residents.
To get the bivalent vaccine, Manitobans must have completed their primary two doses of vaccine, and it’s recommended that you wait six months since a previous dose of vaccine (or a COVID infection).
The province said people who meet the criteria can get the bivalent vaccine after three months, if they feel they’re at increased risk.