As of Oct. 27, approximately 38,476 Manitobans had received the H1N1 flu shot. Flu clinics organized by the province’s 11 regional health authorities and Health Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch are being held across the province this week.
To date, Manitoba has received 134,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine from the national allocation. It is anticipated that an additional 72,000 doses of vaccine will arrive late this week and the same amount will be shipped next week. The exact amounts may change depending on manufacturing capacity and federal distribution plans.
Manitobans who should get the shot first should attend the clinics in their area now. Once these Manitobans are immunized over the next few weeks, the H1N1 flu shot will be made available to every Manitoban who needs or wants to be vaccinated or is expected to benefit from the shot. Manitobans who should get the H1N1 flu shot now include:
• children aged six months to under five years old;
• anyone of Aboriginal ancestry (First Nations, Métis or Inuit);
• disadvantaged individuals (for example, the homeless);
• people living in remote or isolated areas;
• people under 65 with a chronic medical condition or other risk including severe obesity, substance abuse or alcoholism;
• anyone with a weakened immune system or those who live with or care for them;
• those who live with or care for infants under six months old;
• single parents or anyone solely responsible for a dependent;
• health-care workers and medical first responders; and
• pregnant women who should consult with their doctor about the right type of vaccine to receive.
Flu Update
Manitoba is now at the beginning of the second wave of the pandemic. As of Oct. 26, there were 19 new cases of laboratory-confirmed cases of H1N1 flu bringing the lab-confirmed case count since Oct. 1 to 32. The best way to protect against the flu is to get immunized.
In addition to getting the flu shot, there are other steps to take to prevent spreading or getting the flu and to prevent severe illness and death:
• Cover your cough, wash your hands regularly and limit touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick and don’t return to work or school until you feel well enough to do so.
• See a doctor or nurse within 24 hours of getting even mild symptoms of the flu if you have risk conditions for severe illness (e.g. under five years of age, chronic medical condition, Aboriginal ancestry, pregnant). You need to be assessed and you could be offered antiviral medication that should be given within two days of the onset of symptoms.
• Get emergency medical care if you develop severe symptoms or if your symptoms get worse, especially shortness of breath or severe or worsening weakness.
If you have mild flu symptoms, you should:
• Stay home from school or work until you feel well enough to return and limit unnecessary contact with others.
• Contact you nearest health-care provider or visit your nearest health-care centre if you have risks for severe illness or you are concerned that you may need care, especially if your symptoms are severe or worsening. Early treatment (within 24 to 48 hours) may be very important.
Go for emergency medical help or call 911 if you or a family member:
• experience shortness of breath or have difficulty breathing;
• experience severe or worsening symptoms such as increased thirst, or decreased urination and strength;
• are dehydrated or have not urinated for 12 hours;
• are drowsy or confused; or
• have an infant under three months old with a fever.
For more information on H1N1 flu, visit www.manitoba.ca/flu or call Health Links-Info Santé at 788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257.
