All Manitobans are encouraged to Get the Shot, Not the Flu to protect themselves and the people they care for during the 2011 provincial annual influenza immunization program. This announcement was made by Health Minister Theresa Oswald, noting the flu vaccine is available at no charge to all Manitobans.
“The flu shot can help many Manitobans stay well during the flu season,” said Oswald. “It’s particularly important for those who provide care to others, like our dedicated health-care workers. By choosing to be vaccinated, they’re strengthening the front lines of health care for themselves, patients and their families.”
It is highly recommended that anyone at increased risk of serious illness from the flu, their caregivers and close contacts be immunized, Oswald said. This includes:
- seniors 65 years or older,
- residents of personal-care homes and long-term care facilities,
- children aged six months to four years of age,
- those with chronic illness,
- pregnant women,
- health-care workers and first responders,
- individuals of Aboriginal ancestry,
- people who are severely overweight or obese, and
- anyone whose primary health-care provider recommends the flu shot.
Manitobans can be immunized at public health clinics or by their primary health-care provider throughout the province beginning in October. More information on specific clinic dates and locations is available from local public health offices, regional health authorities, the province’s seasonal flu website and Health Links-Info Santé.
This flu shot provides protection against three of the most common strains of influenza the World Health Organization expects to circulate this season, the minister said, adding the vaccine changes each year based on international surveillance and scientists’ estimations about which types and strains will circulate in a given year, which is why it is important to get the flu shot every year.
Influenza is generally spread by sneezing, coughing and other direct physical contact. Symptoms may include fever and chills, cough, headaches, muscle aches, runny nose, sore throat and exhaustion.
Manitobans aged 65 and older, anyone living in a personal-care home or long-term care facility, homeless individuals, illicit drug users and people with specific health conditions are also eligible to get a no-cost pneumococcal shot at the same time they get their flu shot. This immunization can prevent pneumonia, blood infection and meningitis caused by pneumococcal bacteria.
More information about flu and pneumococcal shots and influenza symptoms is available at www.manitoba.ca/flu. Manitobans can also contact Health Links-Info Santé at 788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257.
