4th dose of COVID-19 vaccine recommended for immunocompromised Manitobans

Manitoba is nowoffering a fourth doseof an mRNACOVID-19 vaccinetopeople deemed asmoderately to severely immunocompromised.

As with the third booster shot, the fourthshould not be given until at least six months has passed since the last dose, the province posted on its website on Christmas Eve.

A complete list of the medical conditions andtreatments that would result in a person being considered immunocompromisedisavailable online.

Some examples include people who are receiving chemotherapy or immunotherapyfor cancer; those who are on the list to receive a solid organ transplant or have received one and are currently receiving chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive therapy; those receivinghemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, and anyonetaking certain medications that severely affect the immune system.

Generally,the vaccine used for a fourth dose should be the same mRNA vaccine Pfizer or Moderna as the recipient's previous dose.

Peopleare advised to talk to theirdoctor about which mRNA vaccine is right for them.

"Your doctor can advise you based on the emerging evidence and taking into consideration your immunization and medical history as well as personal circumstances," the province said in a post on its website..

The province has emphasizedthat acomplete series of the same mRNA vaccineis preferable. However, a combination of those vaccines is still a better choice thana viral vector vaccine such as AstraZeneca or Janssen.

When it comes topeople aged 12 to 29, though, the Manitoba government says it is nowfollowingtheNational Advisory Committeeon Immunization's guidance that Pfizer be prioritized for first and second doses.

"This out of an abundance of caution because the risk of myocarditis/pericarditis an extremely rare and temporary swelling of heart tissues appears to be lower with Pfizer than it is with Moderna," the province's website states.

But if only Moderna is only available, or if someone in that age group chooses it over Pfizer, that is fine.

"It'sa very safe and effective option," the websitenoted, adding therisk of myocarditis/pericarditis is still much higher from a COVID-19 infection than it is from a vaccine.