FRANCAIS

October 24, 2005

Health Minister Tim Sale and Dr. Sharon Macdonald, vice-president of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA), today encouraged all Manitoba health-care workers to get their free flu shot to protect themselves and their patients this flu season.

“Every year, hundreds of young children, elderly and chronically-ill Manitobans fall victim to influenza and as a result may suffer serious health complications and may become hospitalized. By getting vaccinated, health-care workers can reduce the chances of catching the flu and transmitting the virus to people at high risk,” said Sale. “We want to make sure Manitoba health-care workers take advantage of our provincial program and get the shot, not the flu.”

“Influenza vaccination of health-care workers is a key component of the WRHA strategy for influenza prevention,” said Dr. Macdonald. “We are working to ensure all health-care workers have ample opportunity to be immunized and reduce the impact of this disease.”

The flu vaccine is free for health-care workers and first responders such as police officers, firefighters and paramedics. Health-care professionals can receive flu vaccinations at public-health flu clinics held throughout Manitoba during October and November, or from their family physician.

Influenza is more severe than a cold and can be deadly, especially for the elderly and those with a chronic illness. Symptoms may include a sudden onset of fever and chills, cough, headaches, muscle aches, a runny nose, sore throat and exhaustion.

The influenza vaccine is also free for Manitobans 65 years of age or older, infants six to 23 months of age, individuals in personal-care homes, children and adults with weakened immune systems, and those with chronic conditions such as lung, heart and kidney disease.

For more information on influenza, visit http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/flu.