After the approval of the Omicron-specific COVID-19 booster by Health Canada, Manitoba announced the first group of residents who will be eligible to receive the vaccine.

Dr. Jazz Atwal said that based on the number of doses expected in the first shipment, eligibility will be open to the following residents: - Adults 65 and over

- Indigenous peoples aged 18 and over, regardless of their place of residence;

- Adults of any age with high-risk medical conditions;

Healthcare workers aged 18 and over;

And residents of personal care homes and other collective living facilities.

Atwal said that residents must wait six months from their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or COVID infection.

Atwal added: "However, individuals who meet the criteria can receive the bivalent vaccine after at least three months if they feel they are at increased risk."

Appointments are expected to be available in mid-September. The first shipment of 27,650 doses is also expected to arrive next week.

A second shipment of 77,600 doses will be sent during the week of September 12.

The province said that walk-in appointments will no longer occur at the RBC Convention Centre after Saturday, September 10.

The last day of operations at the centre will be September 17. A clinic will open at 1680 Notre Dame Street and appointments will begin starting September 20.