Manitoba extends eligibility for 2nd Pfizer, Moderna doses to anyone who got 1st shot March 29 or earlier

Manitoba has expanded eligibility for the second dose of a COVID-19vaccine to anyone who receiveda first dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccinesor before March 29.

Johanu Botha, the provincial vaccine task forceoperations lead, made the announcement Wednesday during a morning technical briefing for reporters.

Manitobanscanbook appointments on the province's websiteor bycalling 1-844-626-8222.

All Manitobans 12 and up have been eligible for a first dose appointment sinceMay 14.

Second dose appointmentsfor the mRNA-based Pfizerand Modernavaccinesopened up on Friday to those with select health conditions.Second dose appointments opened to Indigenous Manitobans on Monday.

Second dose appointments will continue to be opened up based on when individuals received their first shot.

Manitoba continues to recommend those who have received one dose of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine, which uses a viral vector technology, to wait at least 12 weeks before getting their second dose. The first Manitobans who got theAstraZenecavaccine in March will hit the 12-week mark next week, Botha said.

Some can get their second AstraZeneca dose prior to that 12-week period, providedapharmacist or doctor explains the clinical benefits and risks, which could includedevelopingless long-term protection against COVID-19.

The news on second doses comes as the province faces the worst infection rates in North America and officials float the idea of offering prizes to people who get the shot.

Health and government officials on Tuesday repeated theirpleas for the public to get vaccinated and remain cautious for the three weeks it takes to build up immunity.

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Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead of Manitoba's vaccine task force, said Wednesday even a 70 per cent uptake rate in Manitobans over 12 for COVID-19 vaccines will not meet the epidemiological definition of herd immunity but the more Manitobans who are vaccinated, the safer the population will be.

Lanette Siragusa, chief nursing officer for Manitoba Shared Health, said Tuesday that 12 patients were admitted to intensive care units on Monday andover two-thirds were either not vaccinated or had received the vaccine only days earlier and were not sufficiently protected.

Premier Brian Pallisterhas said he intends tooutline new ways to encourage people to get vaccinated.

An online survey issued by the government Monday, whichasks respondents for their views on a variety of pandemic issues, also touches on the topic.

One question asks if people would be concerned about offering incentives to those who are vaccine hesitant.

Some of the ideas for incentives include prizes, free meals, payments of up to $100orfree admission to sporting events or museums.

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