Novel Coronavirus COVID-19
 

COVID-19 VACCINE ELIGIBILITY, PROOF of VACCINATION and VACCINE FINDER


All people in Manitoba aged 6 months and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. The current COVID-19 vaccine that is available in Manitoba is the formulation that protects against the XBB.1.5 strain of the COVID-19 virus.

Since May 1, 2024, COVID-19 immunizations have not been broadly available. Please contact your health care provider if you have questions about receiving COVID-19 vaccine before fall 2024. COVID-19 vaccine supply is available upon request from a health care provider if they have determined that you will benefit from receiving a dose before the Fall 2024 COVID-19 Immunization Program begins. Health care providers have been informed how they can request vaccine.

Immunization is particularly important for those at increased risk of COVID-19 infection or severe disease, for example:

  • Adults 65 years of age or older
  • Residents of long-term care homes and other congregate living settings
  • Individuals with underlying medical conditions that place them at higher risk of severe COVID-19
  • Individuals who are pregnant
  • Individuals in or from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities
  • Members of racialized and other equity-deserving communities
  • People who provide essential community services

Vaccines are the best defense against the COVID-19 virus. Individuals are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible and ensure they receive all the doses recommended for the best protection.

 

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XBB.1.5 Vaccine Eligibility

Updated formulations of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have been developed to protect against the XBB.1.5 strain of the COVID-19 virus. They have been approved for use in:

  • Individuals aged 6 months and older who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Individuals aged 6 months and older who have already received a COVID-19 vaccine and need one or more additional doses to complete their primary series.
  • Individuals aged 6 months and older who have completed a primary series with COVID-19 vaccines and are recommended to receive an additional dose for fall 2023.

Both brands of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine (Moderna and Pfizer) are effective for preventing severe disease from COVID-19. Current data do not show a product-specific difference in the risks of myocarditis and/or pericarditis after a dose of an updated formulation of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine available to you is the best option and it is recommended you get vaccinated with the XBB.1.5. formulation at your earliest opportunity.

 

Beginning in the fall of 2023 for those previously vaccinated against COVID-19 (primary series completed), individuals aged 6 months and older are recommended to receive a dose of the new formulation of COVID-19 vaccine. The recommended interval is 6 months, but you may receive a dose of XBB.1.5 formulation if it has been at least 3 months from any previous COVID-19 vaccine formulation or known SARS-CoV-2 infection (whichever is later). Please note there may be a decreased immune response to the vaccine when provided sooner than the recommended 6-month period.

 

 

Vaccine Eligibility for Those Who Have Yet to Complete a Primary Series

For those who are 6 months to 4 years and have not completed a primary series, these children are eligible to receive two or three doses depending on the vaccine product. Children must be at least six months of age at the time of their immunization appointment.

There are two products authorized for children 6 months to 4 years:

  • Moderna: The primary series consists of 2 doses. The minimum interval between the first and second dose is four weeks.
  • Pfizer: The primary series consists of 3 doses. The interval between the first and second dose is three weeks. The minimal interval between the second and third dose is eight weeks.

Individuals 5 years and older who have never been vaccinated against COVID-19 or have not completed a primary series are eligible to receive one dose of the new XBB.1.5 formulation.

Immunocompromised Individuals

For the purposes of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, the following individuals are considered moderately to severely immunocompromised due to a medical condition and/or treatment:

  • are receiving active chemotherapy (or immunotherapy) for cancer;
  • have received a solid organ transplant and are currently receiving chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive therapy;
  • were born with moderate or severe dysfunction of their immune system;
  • are living with untreated or advanced HIV-AIDS; or
  • are taking certain medications that severely affect the immune system.
  • The following people should talk to their doctor to see whether they are considered to be immunocompromised:
    • receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis;
    • are on the list to receive a solid organ transplant; or
    • have a ventricular assist device (VAD).

The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are the preferentially recommended COVID-19 vaccines. Your health care provider may recommend a different immunization schedule for you based on a review of your medical history and individual circumstances.

If not previously immunized or if primary series is not completed against COVID-19:

  • Individuals six months to four years of age who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are eligible to receive three doses of the Moderna/Spikevax™ vaccine or four doses of the Pfizer/Comirnaty™ vaccine. The Moderna vaccine is preferred due to quicker protection from a three-dose series.
  • Individuals five years of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are recommended to receive three doses of COVID-19 vaccine. The recommended interval between doses is four to eight weeks.

Novavax/Nuvaxovid™, if available, is a different type of COVID-19 vaccine that may be offered to adults 12 years and older who are unable or unwilling to receive a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine.

For more information on the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendations, please go to the Canadian Immunization Guide

 

 

Immunization after a COVID-19 infection

It is recommended to wait six months before getting your next dose of COVID-19 vaccine after a known SARS-CoV-2 infection. The recommended interval is 6 months, but you may receive a dose of XBB.1.5 formulation if it has been at least 3 months from any previous COVID-19 vaccine formulation or known infection.

Recommendations may be different if you are moderately to severely immunocompromised or not previously vaccinated. Please speak to your health care provider to get the best advice on when to get your next vaccine dose after a COVID-19 infection.

For more information on NACI's recommendation on interval between infection and getting your next COVID-19 vaccine dose, please visit: COVID-19 vaccine: Canadian Immunization Guide - Canada.ca.

 

 

Canadian Proof of Vaccination Credential (PVC)

The Canadian COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Credential (PVC) is a secure and reliable way to show your proof of COVID-19 vaccination history. The only medical information contained in this document is related to your COVID-19 vaccination history. The PVC, and associated QR code, contains your name, date of birth, date of immunization, brand of vaccine received and lot number. If your information is scanned by a verifier app it will be subject to open data collection.

The PVC can be used for travel within Canada and internationally and is a recognized and trusted document with international partners. It is important to confirm the immunization requirements for your travel destination and any stops along the way before departing to confirm what type of proof is accepted.

Request Your PVC

You can request your PVC online at immunizationcard.manitoba.ca or through the Manitoba Immunization Card app available in the Apple App Store or on Google Play. You can also call the province's call centre at 1 844 MAN VACC (1 844 626 8222) for more information about the process. Your PVC will contain any international COVID-19 vaccines you received if they are part of Health Canada's accepted list of World Health Organization (WHO) approved COVID-19 vaccines. The list of WHO approved COVID-19 vaccines can be found at: COVID-19 Vaccines with WHO Emergency Use Listing | WHO - Prequalification of Medical Products (IVDs, Medicines, Vaccines and Immunization Devices, Vector Control). If you received a vaccine that is not on the accepted list, it may still appear on the PVC but with limited information.

The PVC is available digitally on your smart phone/device or you can select to receive it by email and you can then print a hard copy of the PDF. If you would like to have your PVC available on multiple devices, you must request the PVC on each individual device. The app only stores the information for your PVC while you are logged in. Once logged out, the app will erase your PVC. You will have to request it again the next time you log in. It is NOT available as a wallet certificate at this time.

The PVC follows the SMART Health Card standard. It provides a safe and secure way to share limited information about your COVID-19 vaccination history. Any scanner that has the ability to read a SMART Health Card QR code will be able to read the QR code on your PVC. You can keep a digital copy of your proof of vaccination on any smart phone/device.

More information on the PVC and SMART Health Cards is available at canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/vaccines/vaccine-proof.html

If you are unable to access your PVC, please submit a request at https://forms.gov.mb.ca/immunization-update-request/ or call 1-844-626-8222.

 

Request Your Canadian Proof of Vaccination Credential (PVC)

 

 

Vaccine Finder

Starting May 1, 2024, except for special circumstances, COVID-19 immunizations will not be available until the fall 2024 Influenza and COVID-19 immunization program commences.

Please contact your primary care provider, walk-in clinic, Access Center, Connected Care Clinic, pharmacy or your local public health office (if outside of Winnipeg) to inquire about current availability of COVID-19, flu and pneumococcal vaccines.

For appointments at pharmacies or medical clinics, you will need to contact those locations directly as indicated for that location in the Vaccine Finder Map


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For Immunization Providers:

Please remember to keep how your location appears on the map current by visiting https://forms.office.com/r/fZh8GGdJgQ.