All Manitoba teenagers ages 12 to 17 can now get their first booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, their third dose.
The change came as the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) released a new recommendation on Tuesday.
This dose should be given six months after the first two injections are given.
Previously, youth in this age group were only eligible for the third dose in Manitoba if they were Black, Native or other ethnicity, lived in congregate living facilities such as shelters, group homes or correctional facilities or if they have health problems.
This policy is also based on the directives of NACI. At the time, it recommended a booster dose for people ages 12 to 17 if they were at risk of serious consequences from COVID-19 due to biological or social risk factors, or if they were faced with systemic barriers to access to health care.
The province previously recommended that teenagers who are moderately or severely immunocompromised receive three doses for their first series of vaccines instead of two, followed by a fourth dose as a booster.
Source: Radio-Canada