Manitoba changes eligibility, allows some 11 year olds to get COVID-19 vaccine

Winnipeg–Some children under the age of 12 are now eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Manitoba.

The province has announced that anyone born on or before Dec. 31, 2009, is able to get the vaccine.

The decision follows similar ones in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.

Manitoba says the move opens up eligibility to between 4,000 and 5,000 children.

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Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead for the province's vaccine team, says the group decided to make the change because of the current plan to take COVID-19 vaccines to all schools beginning in the fall.

She says it's easier to vaccinate kids in cohorts based on birth year and grade rather than age.

Health Canada has not approved any vaccines for children under 12.