Get Ready! Fall Flu Season Vaccines Launching October 24th

As the respiratory virus season approaches, Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) is kicking off its COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccine clinics, starting with the first public clinic in Brandon on Thursday, October 24. This is your chance to protect yourself and your loved ones against potential outbreaks this fall!

Mark your calendars! The free public clinics will continue through November in various communities. For a complete list of PMH-hosted vaccine clinics, head over to prairiemountainhealth.ca. Stay updated by following PMH on social media platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, where they will share the latest news.

For the best experience, appointments are preferred. However, if life gets in the way, walk-ins are welcome too! You can easily book your appointment online via the PMH website or by calling toll-free at 1-844-626-8222.

This year, the updated COVID-19 vaccine offers enhanced protection against the variants expected to circulate during the respiratory virus season. The best part? You can receive both your COVID-19 and flu vaccines on the same day! Just make sure at least six months have passed since your last COVID vaccine or infection.

All individuals aged six months and older are eligible for the updated vaccinations, which is crucial since last year’s respiratory virus season particularly affected younger children. Public health recommends that all children aged six months to under five years receive the seasonal flu vaccine.

Who Should Get Vaccinated?

It’s especially important for those at higher risk to get vaccinated, including:

- Adults aged 65 years and older - Residents of long-term care facilities or other group settings - Individuals with underlying health conditions - Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals - Members of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities - People from racialized and other equity-deserving communities - Essential community service providers

For those 65 years or older, a high-dose flu vaccine is available, and the pneumococcal vaccine will be offered as well.

Don't forget to download the vaccine consent form from the PMH website before your appointment! Bring your Manitoba Health card, and if possible, wear short sleeves for an easy vaccination process. If you’re feeling unwell, please reschedule your appointment by contacting 1-844-626-8222.

Stay Healthy and Informed!

Make sure to keep an eye out for clinic dates and times in local newspapers, radio stations, or community bulletin boards. This is one of the best ways to stay ahead during the colder months ahead!