Manitoba Health

For this year, the annual seasonal flu shot is available to all Manitobans at no charge and is available from family doctors and public health nurses.  It will offer protection against three seasonal flu strains. Please contact your local Public Health Office or Regional Health Authority directly for more information.

An annual flu shot is especially important for those at increased risk of serious illness from the flu, 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 four years
• Those with chronic illness
• Pregnant women
• Health care workers and first responders
• Individuals of Aboriginal ancestry
• People who are severely overweight or obese
• or as determined by your primary health care provider

As of October 2011, international students are now eligible to receive the publicly-funded influenza vaccine regardless of Manitoba Health coverage and/or third party insurance.

Manitobans over the age of 65 should also get a pneumococcal shot at the same time as the seasonal flu shot.  Most adults only need one pneumococcal shot in their lifetime.