Parents can now officially give their Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine appointment to their eligible children.

Eligibility is expanding for second-doses. As of Wednesday, those who received their first dose on or before May 31 are eligible, and on Thursday that moves to June 6.

mb vacAs of Wednesday morning, 71.6 per cent of Manitobans have received their first COVID-19 vaccine, and 28,8 per cent their second. (Government of Manitoba)

 

Pfizer for teens

Currently, Manitoba is experiencing a slowdown in Pfizer shipments and limited second-dose Pfizer appointments to adults. While Moderna studies are underway, Pfizer is the only vaccine approved for youth aged 12-17.

Throughout the past week, many parents and grandparents reported being able to give their Pfizer appointment to youth. The province is now officially stating if a caregiver has a Pfizer appointment booked they can call to change it to the child and ask for Moderna instead. The adult may have to rebook their time.

Adults in Manitoba have been giving up their Pfizer slot, saving the vaccine for youth. In Ontario, the province is facing difficulties as adults are walking away from their COVID-19 vaccine appointments because they would be getting Moderna, not Pfizer.

This week Manitoba will be getting 87,750 doses of Pfizer, and 240,520 Moderna doses.

 

Walk-in vaccinations

After extremely successful tests, the province is opening even more appointments. All supersites are doing walk-in appointments, excluding the RBC Convention Centre. 

"The number of walk-ins may vary by day and by site, but are approximately 10 per cent of all doses available.  It is important to note that a limited number of walk-ins available on a daily basis," the province says in a statement.

First doses will be prioritized.

Clinics and pop-ups continue to schedule appointements.

Appointment booking remains available by calling 1-844-626-8222 or by going online.