Contact Us Member Area

Search

Article

Talking about COVID-19 Vaccines

Find out more about Doctors Manitoba’s COVID ‑19 vaccine campaign, including sample messages for patients and social media. 

manitobavaccine.ca campaign header

A Guide for Physicians

There’s no shortage of data to prove it: the approved COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. There’s also no shortage of news stories, social media posts and informal information that can leave Manitobans confused or with the wrong impression about these vaccines.

Research has shown that physicians play one of the most important roles in cultivating confidence in the new vaccines and promoting widespread acceptance. That’s why Doctors Manitoba has created this brief guide, to support you in talking about vaccines with your patients.

This is a companion for our public vaccine awareness campaign. It’s important for you to review our public site, Man​i​to​baVac​cine​.ca and check out the Vaccine Info page for patient-focused answers to common public questions. You can refer your patients to this site, and to help them find out when they will become eligible to get the vaccine. They can also sign up to get notified too!

Key Messages about Vaccines for Physicians

There are important key messages physicians can use with their patients about the COVID-19 vaccines:

  • The vaccines approved in Canada are safe and effective. The three vaccines approved in Canada were rigorously reviewed by Health Canada, and they were also reviewed independently in over 40 countries who have also approved their use.
  • All approved vaccines are very effective at preventing severe disease, hospitalization and death.
  • Doctors recommend that all Manitobans get immunized as soon as they are able, with very few exceptions.
  • Getting immunized has multiple benefits: it protects the individual, it protects their family and friends, and it will help end the pandemic so we can all get back to more normal way of life.
Responding to Vaccine Hesitancy

It’s important to be empathetic with patients who are cautious or hesitant about getting immunized. After all, these are new vaccines for a new disease. There’s a lot of information swirling around. It’s natural for patients to have more questions.

Reinforce that you care about your patient’s health well-being to create a sense of trust and support. Build on whatever concerns patients bring to you. If it’s misinformation about the vaccines, acknowledge their concern, reframe it or update it to build trust and correct the record. If you’ve already been immunized as a physician or intend to soon, consider sharing this with your patients.

You can learn more strategies in our Guide to Responding to Vaccine Hesitancy.

Supporting your Patients

While doctors’ offices cannot offer the vaccine yet, you may offer vaccine-related visits to assess and counsel your patients and answer their questions.

Physicians can support their patients as they become eligible for the vaccine by:

  • Reaching out to help notify your patients who meet the criteria when they become eligible,
  • Inviting them to contact your office with questions or concerns,
  • Offering information and reassurance that the vaccines are safe, effective and recommended for nearly all Manitobans, and
  • Advising them how to book an appointment.

Appointments can be booked by individuals or someone helping them by calling the same provincial vaccine call centre that physicians have used for bookings: 1−844−626−8222. The call centre has been expanded, and if wait times get longer a call-back option will be offered too.

Sample Messages to Patients

Consider sending the following message out to all of your patients. Adapt this message as necessary for your clinic.

Subject: COVID Vaccine Update

We are writing to provide an update on the COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19 immunizations have started in Manitoba, but the vaccine is not yet available for everyone. Our clinic does not yet have vaccine to offer you. When vaccine supplies become available, eligibility will be set by the provincial government primarily by age.

To help you find out when you’ll be eligible, Doctors Manitoba created Man​i​to​baVac​cine​.ca. We encourage you to visit the site, check your eligibility, and sign up to be notified about when you become eligible. You’ll also get answers to common vaccine questions too.

As physicians, we support and trust these new vaccines. They are safe and effective, and we recommend that all adults get immunized with very few exceptions.

We also want to reassure you that it’s natural to have questions. These are new vaccines for a new disease. Check out Man​i​to​baVac​cine​.ca for more information. Your doctor is also here to answer your questions and talk about your concerns.

Thank you for your patience, and please continue to do all you can to prevent spread of the virus, and to keep you and your loved ones safe. This means wearing a mask when you’re out, staying six feet from others, limiting contact with others, and washing your hands frequently.

Sample Voicemail Message

Consider adjusting your voicemail message with the following. Adapt this message as necessary for your practice.

If you’re calling about the COVID vaccine, please be advised it is not yet available for everyone. You can find out when you’ll become eligible at Man​i​to​baVac​cine​.ca and sign up to be notified when it’s your turn.

Sample Website Update Message

Consider adding a note to your website with the following. Adapt this message as necessary for your practice.

COVID-19 immunizations have started in Manitoba, but the vaccine is not yet available for everyone. Our clinic does not yet have vaccine to offer you. When vaccine supplies become available, eligibility will be set by the provincial government primarily by age.

To help you find out when you’ll be eligible, Doctors Manitoba created Man​i​to​baVac​cine​.ca. We encourage you to visit the site, check your eligibility, and sign up to be notified about when you become eligible. You’ll also answers to common vaccine questions too.

As physicians, we support and trust these new vaccines. They are safe and effective, and we recommend that all adults get immunized with very few exceptions.

We also want to reassure you that it’s natural to have questions. These are new vaccines for a new disease. Check out Man​i​to​baVac​cine​.ca for more information. Your doctor is also here to answer your questions and talk about your concerns.

Thank you for your patience, and please continue to do all you can to prevent spread of the virus, and to keep you and your loved ones safe. This means wearing a mask when you’re out, staying six feet from others, limiting contact with others, and washing your hands frequently.

Posters for your practice


Vaccine questions static


Vaccine questions fillable


Promote on Social Media

Help reassure Manitobans that physicians support and recommend the vaccines. Below you’ll find suggested text and images for posts and stories on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Suggested text for social media posts (please adapt and personalize, and mention @DoctorsManitoba on Twitter too!):

  • I trust the COVID vaccines. They are safe and effective. Learn more about the vaccines and find out when you’re eligible at Man​i​to​baVac​cine​.ca.
  • Get vaccinated as soon as you’re eligible, with whatever approved vaccine is available. Find out more about the vaccines at Man​i​to​baVac​cine​.ca.
  • Wondering when you or a loved one will be eligible for the COVID vaccine? Register at Man​i​to​baVac​cine​.ca and you’ll get notified when it’s your turn.
  • COVID is a serious disease, and getting the vaccine will protect you and those around you. It will also help us get back to a more normal way of life. Find out more at Man​i​to​baVac​cine​.ca.
  • Have questions or concerns about the COVID vaccines? You’re not alone. Talk to your doctor, or visit Man​i​to​baVac​cine​.ca for facts from doctors, and to find out when you’ll be eligible.

Instagram/​Facebook Posts (square format)

Stories and Fleets (tall rectangle format)

Tweets (rectangle format)

Other Resources

Below you will find some key external vaccine resources we have identified for physicians. If you have a resource to add, please let us know.

Last updated
April 7, 2021
Need help?