Key takeaways:
- Several clinics have extra doses and schedule appointments for anyone who needs a COVID-19 vaccine shot for the first, second, or third time on Friday, February 4.
- According to Bradshaw, several patients believe they don’t need a booster shot because they already have COVID-19, which isn’t the case.
Doctors Manitoba is holding a “vax-a-thon” upcoming week in a cross-province effort to raise access to doses of COVID-19 vaccines and stress the importance of booster shots as the Omicron variant remains to put a strain on hospitals.
Several clinics have obtained extra doses and are scheduling appointments for anyone who needs a first, 2nd, or third COVID-19 vaccine shot on Friday, Feb. 4. Although most clinics will require consultations, some will accept walk-ins.
“This is unquestionably an open invitation. Simply show up as you are. Whether you’re from this clinic or that clinic, we’ll talk about whether you’re eligible and give you a shot right away. It makes no difference, “Dr. Candace Bradshaw, president-elect of Doctors Manitoba as well as a family physician in her practice, agreed.
Also read: Manitoba’s death toll, vaccination, and enforcement are all on the rise
Bradshaw and current Doctors Manitoba president Dr. Kristjan Thompson stated at a press conference on Thursday that they want to dispel a few myths about vaccine effectiveness and promote the importance of booster shots.
According to Bradshaw, several patients believe they don’t need a booster shot because they already have COVID-19, which isn’t the case.
“They believe that, hey, I just increased my immunity, so it’s not necessary. So they’re surprised when we tell them, ‘No, that’s not the case.’ “she stated
Throughout a COVID-19 update in Manitoba on Wednesday, the medical lead of Manitoba’s vaccine task force gave identical advice.
“It’s still essential for you to get your next dose of vaccine once you’re no longer isolating and thus no longer have symptoms,” Dr. Joss Reimer said.
“While infection with COVID is expected to provide some immunity, we now have much better evidence that the vaccine offers better and longer-lasting protection.”
During a press conference on Thursday, the doctors emphasized the importance of booster shots in preventing serious outcomes.
Thompson stated he had an elderly patient who had 3 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine while working a shift in an emergency department earlier this week. Despite ending up in the hospital, Thompson claims that the booster shot saved her from a more serious outcome.
“Fortunately, she only had minor symptoms, so she’ll be fine, but she’ll be fine because she’s had three shots, right?” he stated
“As a result, it’s critical that we pursue and encourage any way we can get shots in arms.”
Just over 39% of Manitobans had got their 3rd dose of COVID-19 vaccine as of Thursday, whereas 85.5 % of Manitobans aged five and up had got one dose, and 79.1% had received 2 doses.
Source: CBC News
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