Manitoba

Influenza (the flu) is a serious illness that arrives every year in Manitoba in late fall or early winter. It can make you sick for many days and lowers your body’s ability to fight off other infections. That's why the Manitoba government offers free flu shots for those most at risk and the people who take care of them.

For more information about influenza, how to protect against infection and eligibility for free flu vaccine in Manitoba, visit the links below.

What is the flu?

• Influenza (The Flu) (PDF) 58K

How do you fight the flu?

• Cough Etiquette: Cover your Cough (PDF) 185K
• Hand Hygiene: Using Soap and Water (PDF) 173K
• Children's Handwashing (PDF)  640K
• What Do You Do When You Go Achoo (PDF) 515K
• Middle School – Cover Your Cough and Sneeze (PDF) 85K
• Middle School – Handwashing (PDF) 155K
• What Can You Do To Fight the Flu (PDF) 185K
• Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) (PDF) 70K

Got your flu shot?

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 five 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

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.

Manitoba Health - Get the Shot, not the Flu