Manitoba Health Prepares for Seasonal Flu Campaign – Winnipeg | The Canadian News

As flu vaccines become available to the public, Manitoba public health officials are again encouraging people to get vaccinated against the seasonal illness to protect not only themselves but others as well.

Manitoba Health says it will launch this season’s flu campaign shortly, as more than 60 percent of this year’s flu vaccine has reached the province.

Priority locations such as First Nations communities, hospitals and long-term care facilities have already received their shipments, while deliveries to clinics, doctors’ offices and pharmacies are ongoing, a department spokesman said Thursday.

The province has registered one case of influenza since Sept. 1, the spokesperson said. Experts have previously told Global News that there were fewer cases last year due to the reality of living with COVID-19, such as wearing masks, physical distancing, and testing primarily for that disease.

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A record number of Manitobaans – 31.5 percent of the population – lined up last year for their flu shots, an increase of more than 26 percent from the previous year.

“Every year you hear us talk about how important it is to get the vaccine to protect yourself, but also the people around you, and this year is no different,” said the medical leader of the Manitoba Vaccine Task Force. , Dr. Joss Reimer, to Global News on Thursday. .

“What we also know is that because there are so many changes right now in how we should act when we have even mild symptoms, that is another reason to protect yourself.”

COVID-19 injection, other vaccines can be administered at the same time: NACI

Reimer says that getting the flu can be upsetting, even for those who are not at risk for severe outcomes, adding that people can now get both the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine at the same time as it changed. the National Advisory Committee on Immunization. his advice at the end of September.

“That will help break down some of those barriers for people who won’t be able to come in multiple times for those injections.”

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The province’s director of public health, Dr. Brent Roussin, said last week that we will likely see a resurgence of other typical respiratory viruses if we continue our social interactions. These include influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and rhinovirus, also known as the common cold, which he says is already circulating among Manitoba residents.

People experiencing symptoms should get tested for COVID-19, Roussin said, because it can be difficult to differentiate a cold, flu or COVID based solely on symptoms.

“We don’t have a clinical way to distinguish between those respiratory viruses,” Roussin said. “That can put a significant burden on people, but our healthcare system is under pressure. Anything we can do to minimize the transmission of any of these respiratory viruses (is in) … all of our best interests. “

Where to get a flu shot

All Manitobaans six months and older can get the seasonal flu vaccine for free at an ACCESS center, doctor’s office, nurse, public health office, or pharmacy.

However, those waiting to get a flu shot at a pharmacy must be at least seven years old, and flu shots have not yet reached all places like pharmacies.

Manitoba Health advises people to call ahead to make sure flu vaccines are available where they choose.

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Click to Play Video: 'Why Your Flu Shot Could Be Even More Important This Year'



Why Your Flu Shot Could Be Even More Important This Year


Why Your Flu Shot Could Be Even More Important This Year

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