Manitoba has hit an incredible milestone in its COVID-19 vaccine campaign, according to Dr. Joss Reimer, head of the province's Vaccine Task Force.

As of Wednesday, more than two million doses have been administered to people in Manitoba. 

To date, 2,435,830 doses of vaccine have been delivered to Manitoba. This includes:    

  • 1,534,950 doses of the Pfizer vaccine;   
  • 808,920 doses of the Moderna vaccine; and  
  • 91,960 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. 

"This has been a monumental effort spanning from when the first dose was given, I think it was December 16th, 2020, but we're not done yet," said Dr. Reimer. "From all of us on the Vaccine Task Force, thank you, there have been thousands of people involved in this campaign and we couldn't have done it without you."

Dr. Reimer also thanked those who have chosen to get the vaccine so far. 

"This is really your story. It's built around your decision to protect yourself, protect your loved ones and protect our province," she said. 

Meantime, Manitoba is expanding its recommendations on third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine today to include:

- individuals who have only received a viral vector vaccine, such as two doses of AstraZeneca or a single dose of the Janssen vaccine; and- health-care personnel who have direct contact with patients, residents or clients.

There are about 6,800 people who have received only viral vector vaccines. These individuals can be immunized without a prescription at any vaccine clinic or participating medical clinic or pharmacy with an mRNA vaccine. This dose must be given at least six months after their last vaccine.

The third dose is recommended for health-care personnel, including volunteers, who have direct contact with patients, residents and clients. This recommendation also includes all First Nation health-care workers, such as traditional healers and knowledge keepers. There are approximately 50,000 health-care workers in Manitoba.

Health-care personnel can receive their third dose at any clinic or site where the COVID vaccine is offered including available occupational health clinics. It is recommended the third dose be given at least six months after their second dose, unless they meet other third-dose criteria, and a prescription is not required. Receiving a third dose is voluntary and health-care personnel who do not receive a third dose are still considered to be fully immunized.

Individuals can check their dates of immunization at :

www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine/immunizationrecord/residents.html#immunization-records.

Medical Exemptions

The province has finalized the process for individuals to request a medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination. Eligible medical conditions and situations are available at:

https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/eligibility-criteria.html#exemptions.

Individuals who believe they meet the criteria for a medical exemption should first meet with their regular health-care provider or specialist. If the health-care provider determines the individual meets the criteria, they will be referred to a specialist for further assessment of their condition. Exemptions can only be submitted to Manitoba Health and Seniors Care by a licensed specialist. The exemption will be entered into the provincial immunization database, including whether the exemption is permanent or temporary.

Exempt people will be able to request their digital or physical Manitoba immunization card approximately seven to 14 business days after their exemption is submitted. The card and the display shown after scanning the QR code will be identical to those currently used by fully immunized people. This will help protect the private health information of exempt individuals, while also keeping a simple, consistent process for venues and events that must validate immunization status.

Eligibility

In addition to the expansions noted above, recommendations for a third dose includes:

  •  all residents and staff of First Nation personal care homes;
  • all residents of personal care homes in Manitoba;- people who are immunocompromised;
  • people who require a third dose to meet travel requirements at their destination; or
  • individuals who previously received doses of vaccines that are not approved by Health Canada.

Information about where third doses can be administered is online at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/eligibility-criteria.html#third. Generally speaking, third doses can be given anywhere first or second doses are provided.

Eligibility for first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine continues to include anyone born on or before Dec. 31, 2009.

More information about the vaccine campaign in Manitoba is available at www.manitoba.ca/vaccineand https://protectmb.ca.  For more information about COVID-19 immunization records and cards, visit https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/immunizationrecord/index.html.

Manitoba has hit an incredible milestone in its COVID-19 vaccine campaign, according to Dr. Joss Reimer, head of the province's Vaccine Task Force.

As of Wednesday, more than two million doses have been administered to people in Manitoba. 

To date, 2,435,830 doses of vaccine have been delivered to Manitoba. This includes:    - 1,534,950 doses of the Pfizer vaccine;   - 808,920 doses of the Moderna vaccine; and  - 91,960 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. 

"This has been a monumental effort spanning from when the first dose was given, I think it was December 16th, 2020, but we're not done yet," said Dr. Reimer. "From all of us on the Vaccine Task Force, thank you, there have been thousands of people involved in this campaign and we couldn't have done it without you."

Dr. Reimer also thanked those who have chosen to get the vaccine so far. 

"This is really your story. It's built around your decision to protect yourself, protect your loved ones and protect our province," she said. 

Meantime, Manitoba is expanding its recommendations on third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine today to include:

Individuals who have only received a viral vector vaccine, such as two doses of AstraZeneca or a single dose of the Janssen vaccine; and health-care personnel who have direct contact with patients, residents or clients.

There are about 6,800 people who have received only viral vector vaccines. These individuals can be immunized without a prescription at any vaccine clinic or participating medical clinic or pharmacy with an mRNA vaccine. This dose must be given at least six months after their last vaccine.

The third dose is recommended for health-care personnel, including volunteers, who have direct contact with patients, residents and clients. This recommendation also includes all First Nation health-care workers, such as traditional healers and knowledge keepers. There are approximately 50,000 health-care workers in Manitoba.

Health-care personnel can receive their third dose at any clinic or site where the COVID vaccine is offered including available occupational health clinics. It is recommended the third dose be given at least six months after their second dose, unless they meet other third-dose criteria, and a prescription is not required. Receiving a third dose is voluntary and health-care personnel who do not receive a third dose are still considered to be fully immunized.

Individuals can check their dates of immunization at :

www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine/immunizationrecord/residents.html#immunization-records.

Medical Exemptions

The province has finalized the process for individuals to request a medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination. Eligible medical conditions and situations are available at:

https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/eligibility-criteria.html#exemptions.

Individuals who believe they meet the criteria for a medical exemption should first meet with their regular health-care provider or specialist. If the health-care provider determines the individual meets the criteria, they will be referred to a specialist for further assessment of their condition. Exemptions can only be submitted to Manitoba Health and Seniors Care by a licensed specialist. The exemption will be entered into the provincial immunization database, including whether the exemption is permanent or temporary.

Exempt people will be able to request their digital or physical Manitoba immunization card approximately seven to 14 business days after their exemption is submitted. The card and the display shown after scanning the QR code will be identical to those currently used by fully immunized people. This will help protect the private health information of exempt individuals, while also keeping a simple, consistent process for venues and events that must validate immunization status.

Eligibility

In addition to the expansions noted above, recommendations for a third dose includes:

  • all residents and staff of First Nation personal care homes;
  • all residents of personal care homes in Manitoba;
  • people who are immunocompromised;
  • people who require a third dose to meet travel requirements at their destination; or
  • individuals who previously received doses of vaccines that are not approved by Health Canada.

Information about where third doses can be administered is online at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/eligibility-criteria.html#third. Generally speaking, third doses can be given anywhere first or second doses are provided.

Eligibility for first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine continues to include anyone born on or before Dec. 31, 2009.

More information about the vaccine campaign in Manitoba is available at www.manitoba.ca/vaccineand https://protectmb.ca.  For more information about COVID-19 immunization records and cards, visit https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/immunizationrecord/index.html.