COVID-19 Vaccine Manitoba: Who Should Get Boosted Before Summer 2025?

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Healthcare worker giving COVID-19 vaccine in Manitoba clinic

Manitoba’s targeted spring COVID-19 vaccination campaign is underway. Here’s who qualifies for the COVID-19 vaccine in Manitoba, why now matters, and what’s at stake.

What’s Happening: A Timely Push Before Summer

The COVID-19 vaccine Manitoba campaign is making a focused return this spring. From May 1 to June 30, 2025, the province is offering booster doses to people at highest risk of severe outcomes — before summer conditions lead to an expected rise in virus circulation.

Those eligible include:

Individuals 65 years or older
Indigenous adults over 45
Residents of long-term care homes
Anyone 6 months or older who is moderately or severely immunocompromised
Children aged 6 months to 12 years (until June 14, due to expiring doses)

Vaccines are free and available at clinics, pharmacies, and rural health offices across the province.

Note: After July 1, COVID-19 vaccines will only be provided in exceptional medical circumstances, as Manitoba transitions toward its Fall 2025 immunization campaign.

Why This Rollout Still Matters

It’s been over five years since the pandemic began — yet the need to protect vulnerable communities remains. Health officials say this spring push is about preventing avoidable hospitalizations during a time when many people believe COVID-19 is behind us.

Dr. Joss Reimer, a public health expert formerly with Manitoba’s vaccine task force, noted that “proactive seasonal vaccination is now our best defense”, especially for elderly and immunocompromised individuals. The guideline of waiting at least three months between doses is based on data from Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).

This evolving approach reflects how COVID-19 is being managed more like influenza, while still acknowledging that some people face much higher risks. Those who missed the fall dose can still get vaccinated during this window — a chance many may not get again until fall.

Public Health, Personal Safety: The Emotional Angle

For seniors, immunocompromised individuals, and many Indigenous families — this campaign is a quiet lifeline. It’s also a sign that public health agencies still prioritize the safety of the most vulnerable, even as attention drifts to other topics.

It’s a reminder that health equity is more than a buzzword — it’s about timely access. If you’re not sure whether you qualify, check the full Manitoba vaccine eligibility criteria here.

What’s Next & What You Can Do

Once the spring vaccine window closes on June 30, the province enters a pause period. Until the fall 2025 immunization round begins, only healthcare-recommended exemptions will allow access to vaccines.

Here’s what you can do now:

Check your last dose date — has it been 3+ months?
Book an appointment early, especially for children (doses expire June 14)
Use the provincial locator map to find nearby clinics
Share this update with high-risk individuals in your community

Final Word: A Small Window, A Big Opportunity

The COVID-19 vaccine Manitoba campaign is a targeted yet powerful moment in our post-pandemic chapter. It’s not about fear — it’s about readiness, choice, and community care. Explore:Measles Outbreak: Alberta’s Surge to 74 Cases Highlights Urgent Vaccination Needs

If you or someone you love qualifies, don’t wait. A quick appointment this spring could protect against a difficult summer.