Get vaccinated. Don't spread the flu.

Seasonal Flu

To protect yourself and your friends and family from getting the flu, Health, Seniors and Active Living is encouraging all Manitobans to get a free flu vaccine. For your protection, you should get immunized as soon as possible.

For the 2016-17 season, an annual flu vaccine 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

Healthy children 2 to 17 years of age can receive a needle-free flu vaccine called FluMist®. 

Manitobans over the age of 65 should also get a pneumococcal vaccine at the same time as the seasonal flu vaccine.  Both the flu and pneumococcal vaccine are offered at no charge for people aged 65 and older. The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against pneumococcal disease, including a serious type of pneumonia, blood infections and meningitis. Most adults only need one pneumococcal vaccine in their lifetime.

To get your free flu vaccine and/or pneumococcal vaccine, visit your local public health office, nursing station, doctor’s office, pharmacy, QuickCare Clinic or ACCESS Centre. You can also go to a public health clinic nearest you; contact Health Links – Info Santé (204-788-8200 in Winnipeg; outside of Winnipeg, call 1-888-315-9257). Contact your immunization provider to find out the best time and place to receive your immunizations and check for vaccine availability.

Remember! Your local pharmacist can also provide immunization services to people 7 years of age and older.   

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