Booster Shots
Updated March 2023
Spring 2023 Boosters
A spring booster show is now available and recommended for individuals at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 infections.
Individuals at higher risk should consider a spring 2023 booster shot if it has been at least 6 months since your last COVID-19 vaccine dose or infection. Higher risk groups include:
- Adults age 65+
- Indigenous adults age 45+ (including First Nation, Métis and Inuit Peoples)
- Residents of long term care, assisted living or supportive housing facilities
- Adults age 18+ who are moderately or severely immuno-compromised.
Timing is important. Please discuss the timing of your spring booster with your doctor. It is possible a fall 2023 booster will be recommended, but it might be only be recommended six months after your last dose. If you wait and get a late spring or summer booster, it could affect the timing of a possible fall booster.
If you did not receive a booster in fall 2022, it is still recommended.
BIVALENT (OMICRON) BOOSTER SHOTS: Bivalent booster shots are recommended as they also target the dominant Omicron variant. All adults age 5+ are eligible. It is recommended to wait six months from your last dose or a previous COVID infection to get the bivalent booster dose.
Boosters – Recommended for Ages 5 and up
A booster shot is recommended after your primary immunization series. If it has been more than six months since your last vaccine dose or since a COVID-19 infection, you are likely eligible for a booster shot. Boosters are recommended for ages 5 and up. Boosters are not currently recommended for infants and small children under the age of 5.
Talk to your doctor about a COVID-19 booster shot, or use our Vaccine Finder to locate a doctor near you.
Boosters for Children and Youth
Currently, booster doses are not yet recommended for all children and youth.
All youth aged five and up can receive a booster shot. A booster is strongly recommended for those who are immuno-compromised or have an underlying health condition that increases their risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
- Immuno-Compromised Individuals (age 6 months and older): Doctors strongly recommend a third dose for individuals who are moderately to severely immuno-compromised to complete their primary series. Boosters are also recommended for some age groups. A third dose should be given at least 28 days after the second dose, and for those age 5+ a fourth dose, or first booster, should be given four to six months after their third dose. See below for the definition of moderately to severely immuno-compromised.
- Youth with Underlying or Chronic Medical Conditions (age 5-17): Because youth with underlying or chronic conditions could be at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, a booster shot should be considered 4-6 months after their last dose. If someone in this age group has any of the following conditions, please talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of a booster dose. Conditions include:
- Cancer (active treatment)
- Chronic diseases of the kidney, lung (including uncontrolled asthma), liver, or heart (includuing pulmonary hypertension)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Diabetes (type 1 and 2)
- Down syndrome
- Neurodevelopmental and other chronic neurologic conditions such as epilepsy and cerebrovascular disease
- Obesity (BMI of 30 or higher)
- Substance use disorder
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
- Immuno-compromised condition or treatment (see section below for details)
- Medically fragile or having medically complex needs
- Youth residing in a congregate living setting (age 12-17): Individuals, including youth, living in large group settings may be at higher risk of serious illness or outcomes from COVID-19. These setting could include shelters, group homes, quarters for migrant workers and correction.
- Youth who belong to racialized and/or marginalized communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19 (Age 12-17)
Immuno-Compromised Eligibility
Doctors and scientists have monitored the immune response carefully. For individuals age 6 months and older who are considered moderately to severely immuno-compromised, a third dose is recommended to complete their COVID-19 vaccination series. For those age 5 and older, a booster shot (fourth dose) is also recommended to maintain the best protection.
- Third doses should be given at 4-8 weeks after the second dose to complete your primary vaccination series.
- If it’s been more than six months since your last dose or infection, a booster is likely recommended. Talk to your doctor.
Individuals are considered moderately or severely immuno-compromised if they:
- Have cancer and are receiving active chemotherapy (or immunotherapy including CAR-T therapy)
- Have received a solid organ transplant and are receiving chemotherapy or other immuno-suppressive therapy
- Were born with a moderate or severe dysfunction of their immune system
- Are living with untreated or advanced (stage 3 or advanced) HIV-AIDS
- Are taking certain medications that severely affect the immune system, including:
- Anti-B cell therapies
- High-dose systemic corticosteroids
- Alkylating agents, antimetabolites, or tumornecrosis factor (TNF) blockers
- Other biologic agents that are significantly immuno-suppressive, including TNF blockers, certain biologic agents (e.g., rituximab), mycophenolate, tacrolimus, Jak inhibitors, methotrexate, fingolimod, azathioprine and leflunomide
The following individuals may benefit from a third dose and booster shot, but should consult their doctor for individual advice. This includes those who
- Are receiving dialysis (hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis)
- Are on the organ transplant list
- Have a ventricular assist device (VAD)
Further information about eligibility for third doses is available from Manitoba Health.