Seasonal Flu
All Manitobans are encouraged to get their free seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine every year in the early fall. It is also important to ensure you are up to date with all other recommended immunizations, especially if you are in a high-risk group. You can receive the flu vaccine together with other vaccines like the COVID-19 vaccine.
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Influenza Vaccines
Manitoba currently offers standard and high-dose flu vaccines for older adults. While the standard-dose influenza vaccine is offered to everyone aged six months and older, the high-dose flu vaccine contains four times the amount of influenza virus proteins (or antigens) and it is recommended for everyone aged 65 and older to provide them with a stronger immune response. The high-dose flu vaccine is safe and effective and produces a stronger immune response than the standard dose.
Children younger than nine years of age, who have never received a flu vaccine, need two doses, at least four weeks apart to create the optimal protection against the flu. Only one dose is required each season thereafter.
Did you know?
Pharmacists can administer COVID-19 and flu vaccines to children 2 years of age and older.
The vaccine is available from medical clinics, pharmacies and other locations. Use the Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Map to find a convenient location.
Influenza Vaccine Eligibility
Manitoba offers influenza vaccines through Manitoba’s Recommended Routine Immunization Program:
- 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 at high risk of influenza-related complications or hospitalization
- All children 6 to 59 months of age
- Adults 65 years of age and older
- Adults and children with the following chronic health conditions:
- Cardiac or pulmonary disorders (including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis, and asthma);
- Diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases;
- Cancer, immune compromising conditions (due to underlying disease, therapy, or both, such as solid organ transplant or hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients);
- Renal disease;
- Anemia or hemoglobinopathy;
- Neurologic or neurodevelopmental conditions (includes neuromuscular, neurovascular, neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental conditions, and seizure disorders [and, for children, includes febrile seizures and isolated developmental delay], but excludes migraines and psychiatric conditions without neurological conditions)
- Morbid obesity (defined as BMI of 40 kg/m² and over); and
- Children 6 months to 18 years of age undergoing treatment for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid, because of the potential increase of Reye's syndrome associated with influenza
- All individuals who are pregnant;
- All individuals of any age who are residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities; and
- Indigenous Peoples.
People capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk
- Traditional healers, health care and other care providers in facilities and community settings who, through their activities, are capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk
- Household contacts, both adults and children, of individuals at high risk, whether or not the individual at high risk has been vaccinated:
- household contacts of individuals at high risk
- household contacts of infants less than 6 months of age, as these infants are at high risk but cannot receive influenza vaccine
- members of a household expecting a newborn during the influenza season;
- Those providing regular childcare to children 0 to 59 months of age, whether in or out of the home; and
- Those who provide services within closed or relatively closed settings to people at high risk (e.g., crew on a cruise ship).
Others
- People who provide essential community services; and
- People who are in direct contact with poultry infected with avian influenza during culling operations.
If you have any questions about seasonal flu 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
