Kelvin Goertzen, Steinbach MLA and Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister, announced that all Manitobans will soon be able to receive a free influenza vaccine to protect them and those around them against circulating influenza viruses. The announcement was made at the official launch of the 2016 influenza immunization campaign.
“Getting immunized protects the person who received the vaccine but it is also key in the prevention of serious illnesses for those unable to receive the influenza vaccine, like newborns,” said Goertzen. “Getting vaccinated is your best defence against this preventable disease. I encourage all Manitobans to roll up their sleeve and get the flu shot.”
Goertzen added that although the main goal of encouraging Manitobans to get vaccinated is to ensure they stay healthy, another significant benefit of vaccination is that it helps reduce health-care costs by keeping people out of emergency rooms and clinics by preventing illness.
The flu can spread easily from one person to another through coughing, sneezing or by touching objects contaminated with the flu virus and then touching your mouth, eyes or nose. In addition to getting immunized with a flu vaccine every fall, Manitobans can minimize the risk of getting or spreading seasonal flu by covering coughs and sneezes, and washing their hands regularly.
“This year, the province will again provide the quadrivalent vaccine, which protects Manitobans against two influenza A strains and two influenza B strains,” said Dr. Michael Routledge, chief provincial public health officer. “It is important for all Manitobans six months of age and older to get immunized to prevent infection and protect not only their own health, but the health of others in their community.”
The annual flu vaccine is extremely important for people at increased risk of serious illness from the flu, along with their caregivers and close contacts. This includes:
- seniors age 65 or older,
- residents of personal care homes or long-term care facilities,
- children age six months to five years,
- those with chronic illness,
- pregnant women,
- health-care workers and first responders,
- individuals of Indigenous ancestry,
- people who are severely overweight or obese, and
- as determined by primary health-care providers.
Manitobans over the age of 65 should also get a pneumococcal vaccine at the same time as the seasonal flu vaccine. This vaccine, like the flu vaccine, is offered at no charge for people aged 65 and older. The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against pneumococcal disease including a serious type of pneumonia, blood infections and meningitis. Most adults only need one pneumococcal vaccine in their lifetime.
As an alternative to the regular flu shot, Manitoba children and adolescents two to 17 years of age are eligible to receive the FluMist Quadrivalent vaccine in the form of a nasal spray, provided they do not have any contraindications. For more information on FluMist Quadrivalent, including a fact sheet, visit Manitoba’s Seasonal Influenza Immunization Program website.
To get a flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine, contact a doctor’s office, local public health office, nursing station, pharmacy, QuickCare Clinic or ACCESS Centre to find out the best time and place to receive immunizations and check for vaccine availability. Regional health authorities will also soon begin immunization clinics. Check the Manitoba influenza website or contact Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 in Winnipeg or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free) outside of Winnipeg for clinics dates, times and locations.
