A medical assistant at the Sea Mar Community Health Center gives a patient a flu shot in Seattle on January 11, 2018. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Ted S. Warren)
WINNIPEG — Manitoba health officials are encouraging people to roll up their sleeves and get a flu shot this season.
The seasonal flu vaccine is available free of charge to anyone six months and older.
“The flu vaccine protects you and helps to protect those around you including infants, people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes or asthma, and those seeking treatment for cancer. It’s about them, too,” said Health Minister Cameron Friesen, who received his own flu shot Thursday at the Grant Park Shoppers Drug Mart.
Friesen says Manitoba has received 84 percent of its flu vaccine supply, despite national delivery delays by the vaccine manufacturers. Approximately 240,000 doses have been shipped to health-care providers across the province to date.
According to health officials, 17 people with lab-confirmed flu died in Manitoba last year, while another 42 were admitted into intensive care units.
More than 336,000 doses of the vaccine were administered in the province last winter.
Locations on where to receive the flu shot can be found at Manitoba.ca/flu or by contacting Health Links–Info Santé at (204) 788-8200 in Winnipeg or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257.
