Seasonal Flu

To protect yourself as well as those around you from getting influenza (the flu) Manitoba Health (Health) is encouraging all Manitobans to get their free seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine every year in the early fall.

Influenza Vaccine Eligibility

• Manitobans 6 months of age and older who are registered with Manitoba Health are eligible for the influenza vaccine free-of-charge.
• Manitobans 65 years of age and older who are registered with Manitoba Health are also eligible for the high-dose influenza vaccine free-of-charge.
• International students and out-of-province visitors are eligible to receive the flu vaccine free-of-charge regardless of third-party insurance and/or Manitoba Health coverage (an administration fee may be charged).

An annual flu vaccine is especially important for those at increased risk of serious illness from the flu, their caregivers, and their close contacts. This includes:

• people 65 years of age and older
• residents of personal care homes or long-term care facilities
• children six to 59 months of age
• individuals with the following chronic health conditions:
  • an immune system weakened by disease or medical treatment (e.g., cancer)
  • cardiac or pulmonary disorders (e.g., cystic fibrosis, asthma)
  • long-term acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin®) therapy (for those between six months and 18 years of age only)
  • neurologic or neurodevelopmental conditions
  • diabetes and other metabolic diseases
  • renal disease
  • anemia or hemoglobinopathy
  • obesity (body mass index = 40)

  Pneumococcal Vaccine

  Manitobans over the age of 65 should also get a pneumococcal (Pneu-P-23) vaccine at the same time as the flu vaccine. Both the flu and the Pneu-P-23 vaccine are offered at no charge for people aged 65 and older. Some individuals who are at increased risk of pneumococcal infection may need a different kind of pneumococcal vaccine, known as the Pneu-C-20 vaccine. If you are interested in finding out more about the Pneu-P-23 and/or Pneu-C-20 vaccine, please talk to your health care provider or visit this page to see if you are eligible to receive the Pneu-P-23 and/or Pneu-C-20 vaccine free-of-charge.

  Where to Locate and How to Book Flu, COVID-19 and Pneumococcal Vaccines in Manitoba

  Free flu, COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccines are offered at a variety of sites such as public health offices, medical clinics, access centers, pharmacies, vaccine clinics, and nursing stations.
  The current COVID-19 vaccine that is available in Manitoba is the updated formulation that protects against the XBB.1.5 strain of the COVID-19 virus.

  VACCINE FINDER

  Starting May 1, 2024, except for special circumstances, COVID-19 immunizations will not be available until the fall 2024 Influenza and COVID-19 immunization program commences.

  Please contact your primary care provider, walk-in clinic, Access Center, Connected Care Clinic, pharmacy or your local public health office (if outside of Winnipeg) to inquire about current availability of COVID-19, flu and pneumococcal vaccines.

  For appointments at pharmacies or medical clinics, you will need to contact those locations directly as indicated for that location in the Vaccine Finder Map

  Did you know?

  Pharmacists can administer COVID-19 and flu vaccines to children 2 years of age and older.

  • Click here for information on COVID-19 vaccines
  • Click here for more information about other recommended and publicly-funded vaccines.
  • Click here for more information about adverse events following immunization.
  • Click here for weekly and end of season influenza reports
    

  If you have any questions about seasonal flu or pneumococcal immunization:

  Speak with a health care provider or call Health Links – Info Santé at:

  204-788-8200 in Winnipeg or toll-free 1-888-315-9257