Manitobans who choose to receive the free influenza vaccine this year will now be protected against four different influenza viruses. This announcement was made by Health Minister Sharon Blady.
“The flu is preventable, and we are encouraging Manitobans to get immunized and benefit from the increased protection offered by this year’s new flu vaccine,” Minister Blady said.
The minister said the province will continue to use its new campaign slogan, ‘Because it’s About Them Too. Get Vaccinated. Don’t Spread the Flu’, to remind and motivate more people to get immunized. She noted the message is extremely important since immunization not only protects an individual, but also helps to prevent serious illness for those unable to receive the influenza vaccine like newborns.
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.
The flu vaccines previously used in Manitoba were designed to protect against three different flu viruses (trivalent). This included an influenza A H1N1 virus, an influenza A H3N2 virus and one B virus. As there are usually two different types of B viruses that circulate during most flu seasons, the vaccine did not always protect against the right group of B viruses. The new quadrivalent vaccine available this year in the province includes an additional B virus to offer greater protection, Minister Blady noted.
“By getting the quadrivalent influenza vaccine, Manitobans will have better odds of fighting circulating flu viruses,” 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.”
Routledge said for the 2015-16 season, an annual flu vaccine is especially 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. Both the flu and pneumococcal vaccine are 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.
Manitoba children and adolescents two to 17 years of age are eligible to receive publicly funded live attenuated influenza vaccine (FluMist Quadrivalent), provided they do not have any contraindications. For more information on FluMist Quadrivalent, including a fact sheet, access 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.
