Appointments are now available for the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. Manitoba Health recommends that people who are eligible book their appointments by contacting the vaccine call centre at (toll-free) 1-844-626-8222 or by using the online booking tool. They can also contact medical clinics and pharmacies directly.

The bivalent vaccine has been developed to provide protection against two strains of COVID-19: the original strain of the virus and the omicron variant.

Initial eligibility criteria for this vaccine includes:

• adults aged 65 or older;
• Indigenous people aged 18 or older, regardless of where they live;
• individuals aged 18 or older with higher-risk medical conditions, including people who are immunocompromised due to a health condition or medication and those who are pregnant;
• health-care workers aged 18 or older, including fire/paramedic first responders; and
• residents of personal care homes and other congregate living facilities including assisted living, group homes, shelters and correctional facilities.

According to Manitoba Health, anyone aged 12 and older can receive a booster of the monovalent (original) vaccine if they choose. However, it is recommended that all adults wait for access to a bivalent vaccine, as it provides additional protection from omicron variants of COVID-19. The province expects to be able to expand eligibility for the bivalent vaccine to all Manitobans aged 18 and older in the coming weeks, based on vaccine shipments from the federal government and initial uptake among eligible groups. Updates will continue to be provided to Manitobans about eligibility and supply.

Walk-in vaccinations are no longer be available at RBC Convention Centre.

The last day of operations at the convention centre will be Sept. 17. The vaccine clinic in Winnipeg will transition to 1680 Notre Dame Avenue, with the first appointments available Sept. 20. Walk-ins will not be available at this location.

The province recommends that Manitobans

keep a supply of rapid antigen tests at home.

These tests are available at many locations across the province, including pharmacies, grocery stores and libraries. People who have Abbott PanBio rapid tests at home should know that Health Canada has extended the shelf life of these tests to 24 months from the date the tests were manufactured. This extension occurred after the packages were printed, so expiry dates may now be inaccurate. Individuals who have these rapid tests at home should use the date of manufacture printed on the packaging and add 24 months to determine the true expiry date.

Source: Manitoba Government