Area residents will have five chances to get a flu shot this season.
The Northern Health Region (NHR) has announced the times and locations of their flu clinics for 2019.
Flin Flon will have three days of flu clinics, all at the Primary Health Care Centre. The season starts Saturday, Oct. 19, between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The following week will have two weekday sessions for residents. The clinic will be open from 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 23 and Oct. 25.
A flu clinic will be open for two days in Cranberry Portage, on Oct. 31 and Nov. 14. The clinic will be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 31 and from 1 p.m.- 5 p.m. Nov. 14.
In Saskatchewan, residents can head down to the Creighton Health Office Oct. 21, Oct. 24 or Oct. 28 between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with a closure during lunch. There will also be a flu clinic at Creighton Heritage Manor Oct. 30 between 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Dr. Michael Isaac, medical officer of health for the NHR, said more Manitobans are getting the flu shot.
“The percentage of Manitobans getting flu shots has increased over the past several years,” he said.
“For the 2018/2019 influenza season, 23.6 per cent of Manitobans received the influenza vaccine, higher than the 21.7 per cent of Manitobans who received it in 2015/2016.”
The flu vaccine covers two different kinds of influenza.
“The strains covered in this year's vaccine include two strains of influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2) and two strains of influenza B,” Isaac said.
“Predicting the amount of influenza illness prior to the start of the influenza season is challenging. The flu season that has already occurred in the Southern Hemisphere, which can sometimes be a predictor of the flu season in the Northern hemisphere, was a moderate flu season.”
Manitoba encourages everyone to get a flu shot.
“Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living is encouraging all Manitobans to get their free flu vaccine early fall and every fall,” Isaac said.
“An annual flu vaccine is especially important for those at increased risk of serious illness from the flu, their caregivers and close contacts.”
For a list of those at a higher risk and facts and myths about the flu vaccine, visit gov.mb.ca/health/flu.
