Manitoba Health is now offering a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine for all young people aged 12 to 17.

In February, Dr. Joss Reimer, Head of Manitoba's Vaccine Implementation Task Force suggested young people receive a third dose if they are at high risk of severe outcomes due to medical or social risk factors. Based on updated recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, Manitoba Health is revising that to include all youth aged 12 to 17.

Booster doses should be given at least six months after their first two doses.

High-risk youth include those with underlying medical conditions, racialized or marginalized communities that are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 or those living in shelters, group homes or correctional facilities.

Meanwhile, Manitoba’s initial delivery of the Novavax vaccine has arrived and will be distributed to health-care providers who have ordered it beginning next week. Novavax is approved for people aged 18 and older. Two doses are recommended to be considered fully immunized with at least eight weeks between doses.

As of April 15, all provincial testing sites will be closed to the general public. PCR testing is now only available through primary health-care providers for eligible individuals. For more information about eligibility, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/testing-eligibility.html. Pre-operative patients can continue to make COVID-19 testing appointments by contacting the Dakota Medical Centre at 204-254-2087 or the Minor Illness and Injury Clinic through their website at www.covidwpg.com.

To help make rapid tests more accessible throughout Manitoba, the province is expanding its partnership with libraries across Manitoba. Shipments to libraries outside Winnipeg are expected to begin next week. Manitobans can contact their local library for more information about availability.

Manitoba continues to post weekly COVID-19 epidemiology reports at: www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/surveillance/covid-19/index.html.