The Manitoba government is launching a Flu Shot Finder tool to make it easier for Manitoba families to find a location to receive their flu vaccine.
“It’s important to get the flu vaccine every fall, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, this year it’s even more important,” said Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen. “This new tool will make it easier for Manitobans to find a location near them to get a flu shot and to add an extra layer of protection this fall.”
The Flu Shot Finder, developed in collaboration with GeoManitoba, uses an interactive map to show where people can find their flu vaccine. People can enter an address, or choose ‘my location’ and the map will populate with nearby locations, including physicians’ offices, pharmacies and public health offices, that are offering the vaccine. Other filters include walk-in locations or any age limitations.
Public health officials are reaching out to providers to ensure they regularly update their vaccine stock levels. People are reminded to call ahead to confirm the site is still able to offer the vaccine.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to get their flu vaccinations this year,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer. “I also encourage people to focus on the fundamentals, such as staying home when sick, practising good cough etiquette and hand hygiene, and making sure to maintain a physical distance from others to prevent spreading influenza and COVID-19.”
The annual influenza vaccination campaign has been revamped this season to take into account the current public health challenges posed by COVID-19. The tag line, ‘Add a Layer This Fall’, encourages Manitobans to add an extra layer of protection as the province prepares to deal with the flu season and COVID-19 at the same time.
The 2020-21 campaign will be targeted to those at the highest risk of getting a serious case of the flu and their caregivers including specific outreach to the health-care sector and the public service. In an effort to protect those most at risk and to reduce the strain on the health-care system, the province has increased its vaccination order by 20 per cent.
Manitoba has already begun shipping vaccines to providers and is expected to receive the full provincial vaccine allotment over the next several weeks, barring any external supply or delivery disruptions.
For more information on influenza in Manitoba, to find an influenza vaccine clinic near you and to access the new tool, visit gov.mb.ca.
