This site offers details on Manitoba Health's free flu and pneumonia immunization programs for those most at risk.

Download the Get the Shot, Not the Flu brochure - 190 kb.
Download the Seniors and the Flu Shot brochure - 110 kb.

Note:  you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer in order to open the above documents. If you require a free copy of the Reader, click here.

You should get a free flu shot every year if you are:

• age 65 or older;
• a child age six to 23 months;
• an adult or child with heart or lung disease, or other chronic illness;
• a health care worker;
• a household contact of someone under age two, or 65 years of age and older.

Flu facts:

• The flu is extremely contagious.  It can cause serious illness and death.
• You cannot get the flu from the flu shot - there is no live virus in the vaccine.
• Taking herbal supplements, eating well and exercising cannot prevent the flu.

Seniors and Flu Shots - Key Facts:

• The flu shot cannot make you sick (unlike flu vaccines in the past)
  
• The flu shot reduces your chance of getting the flu
  
• The flu shot protects people with chronic conditions who are more vulnerable to the flu
  
• The flu shot protects caregivers and their loved ones

An estimate 4,000 to 8,000 Canadians - mostly seniors - die each year from complications related to the flu.

You should get a free pneumonia shot if you are:

• age 65 or older;
• an adult or child with heart or lung disease, or other chronic illness;

Pneumonia facts:

• Pneumococcal (pronounced NEW-MOW-COK-AL) bacteria can cause serious illness, including
  • pneumonia,
  • blood poisoning and
  • meningitis.
    
• Most people need only one pneumonia shot in their lifetime.

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Information

PHAC statement on delayed availability of Influenza Vaccine for the 2006-07 Season

Check the Public Health Agency of Canada influenza website at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/influenza_e.html for the most current information on influenza this season.

Free flu and pneumonia shots are available from:

• your doctor

• your public health nurse

Remember to bring your Manitoba Health card.

If you have any questions about flu or pneumonia immunization, contact your public health nurse, doctor, pharmacist or call Health Links-Info Santé at:

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