On October 6, 2021, Manitoba Health and Seniors Care (MHSC) announced that health care personnel who have direct contact with patients, residents and clients are recommended to receive a third dose of an mRNA vaccine at least 6 months after their second dose of any COVID-19 vaccine. This includes pharmacists who provide direct patient care in any setting and individuals who have only received a viral vector vaccine, such as two doses of AstraZeneca or a single dose of the Janssen vaccine.
Third doses can be offered at any location that currently offers COVID-19 vaccines. Information on where you can access a third dose, eligibility criteria, and further details are available on the Government of Manitoba website and in the updated Clinical Practice Guidelines.
The memo sent by MHSC to all health care providers is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/covidvaccine/covid-19-vaccine-third-doses-hcp.pdf
Please note that the College continues to strongly encourage all pharmacy professionals and staff to receive the recommended number of doses of COVID-19 vaccine as part of evidence-informed practice. Vaccination is a safe and effective way to fight COVID-19, and we have a collective responsibility to reduce the strain it has placed on our healthcare system. Private employers are encouraged to implement vaccination and testing requirements to protect the patients they serve and their pharmacy personnel, and to preserve the essential health services that pharmacy professionals provide to the public.