Our local health authority, Southern Health-Santé Sud, is encouraging people to get this year’s flu vaccine. Although the seasonal flu vaccination is available every year, it is seen as being especially important this year, to reduce the risk of serious illness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
All Manitobans over six months of age are eligible for the flu vaccine at no charge.
To get your free flu vaccine, visit your local public health office, nursing station, doctor’s office, pharmacy, ACCESS Centre, or the nearest immunization clinic. Your local pharmacist can provide immunization services to people seven years of age and older. Older residents of Manitoba may be eligible for the high-dose flu shot, which has been given expanded eligibility this year.
On Thursday, October 15, Dr. Brent Roussin says that the province has ordered 20 percent more vaccine dosages than last year, in anticipation of higher demand. He says this will be enough to vaccinate approximately 40 percent of the population.
“We think we’re going to meet the demand and we’re looking for Manitobans to get that shot this year,” says Dr. Roussin. “The vaccine is procured nationally, we’re looking at that and we’ll see what that demand was.”
In previous years, the uptake was about 26 percent of the population.
According to a press release issued by the provincial government earlier this week, due to potential delays of flu vaccine arrival across Canada, delays in the delivery of vaccines to healthcare providers may occur, which could affect influenza clinic dates. Manitobans are reminded to contact a healthcare provider, local public health office, or pharmacy to determine stock availability.
If you choose to visit an immunization clinic this fall, be sure to bring your Manitoba health card and wear a mask. Also remember to wear short or loose-fitting sleeves.
This year’s local immunization clinics:
- November 2: Niverville, 1:00–7:00 p.m. at the Niverville Heritage Centre atrium (101 Heritage Trail)
- November 3: St. Pierre-Jolys, 2:00–7:00 p.m. at the St. Pierre-Jolys Recreation Centre (545 Hebrew Avenue)
- November 4: Île-des-Chênes, 2:00–7:00 p.m. at the TC Energy Centre (1 Rivard Street)
- November 16: Landmark, 4:00–7:00 p.m. at the Landmark Kinsmen Community Centre (191 Robert Koop Road)
- November 17: Ste. Agathe, 3:00–7:00 p.m. at the Ste. Agathe Cultural and Community Centre (183 Pembina Trail)
- November 23: St. Adolphe, 4:00–7:00 p.m. at the St. Adolphe Bible Fellowship Church (467 Main Street)
