Manitobans encouraged to get their flu vaccine
The Manitoba government is encouraging residents to get their flu shot through its annual campaign.
On Friday, Health Minister Audrey Gordon launched this year’s flu vaccination campaign, which has been redesigned and merged with the #ProtectMB website to include all vaccinations.
The minister encouraged Manitobans to take part in winter wellness by staying active, eating healthy, reducing stress, and getting the vaccine.
“Overall health and wellness have never been more important than it is right now,” Gordon said.
“Getting the flu vaccine is the most effective way Manitobans can protect themselves and each other from the flu. It means fewer people getting sick. Fewer people who miss work or school. And fewer people who need to be treated in a hospital.”
Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer, noted that when Manitobans stay healthy, cover their coughs, stay home when sick, and get the flu shot, they are reducing the strain on the health-care system.
He added that it is important for all eligible Manitobans six months of age and older to get immunized against influenza as soon as the vaccine becomes available to them.
“The seasonal flu vaccine is another way to help stay healthy this winter,” Roussin said.
“And, of course, that helps us, it helps the people around us, the people we care about. It helps other Manitobans.”
THE CAMPAIGN
Manitoba’s 2021 flu vaccination campaign is aimed at those who are most vulnerable and their caregivers. This includes specific outreach to the health-care sector and public service.
The province provides a high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (fluzone high dose) to Manitobans aged 65 and older who meet the following requirements:
- Those who live in long-term care facilities, including chronic-care residents;
- Those who live in supportive and assisted-living housing;
- Clients in interim or transitional care beds; respite care clients; and new, unimmunized residents admitted to a long-term care facility during flu season;
- People in provincial correctional facilities, including those who are newly incarcerated or transferred from other correctional facilities;
- People receiving home care while on a waiting list for admission to a long-term care facility;
- Those living on a First Nation, or remote or isolated community; and
- Those living north of the 53rd parallel of latitude.
The province notes that the flu shot is available at public health offices, nursing stations, doctors’ offices, community clinics, and access centres.
Pharmacists can also provide the shot to anyone over the age of seven.
The Pneu-P-23 vaccine, which protects against pneumococcal disease, is offered free of charge to seniors anywhere flu vaccines are offered and can be administered at the same time.
Manitoba has started to ship vaccines to providers. It expects to receive the full provincial allotment over the next few weeks.
Anyone interested in getting their flu shot should contact providers first to ensure it is available.
Manitobans can find locations and book their flu shots online or by calling 1-844-626-8222. Many locations also accept walk-ins.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.