Health-care providers gear up to meet flu season with vaccinations

WINNIPEG – As flu season approaches, the province is opening vaccination clinics and pharmacists are ready to offer shots for the first time in Manitoba.

The province is setting up 12 public flu clinics that will vaccinate Manitobans on a walk-in basis starting next week and more than 530 pharmacists are now certified to give the vaccine in Manitoba.

There has already been one lab-confirmed case of influenza reported in Manitoba this season, the Public Health Agency of Canada reported on Friday.

READ MORE: Immunization rates dropping in Winnipeg

But one of the best defences against the flu remains simple soap and water, said pharmacist Ryan Chan, who will give vaccines.

“When you sneeze, there’s droplets of water that contain the virus, so the best way is to prevent that droplet from spreading. So when you sneeze or cough, you want to wash your hands as much as possible. Hand washing is a very good technique for removing all the germs and viruses,” Chan said Tuesday.

“If you are sick, stay home – it helps prevent the spread of the actual flu virus,” he added.

Links to locations and hours for vaccination clinics can be found on the Manitoba Health website.

Clinics in Winnipeg are:

• Assiniboine South: Charleswood United Church, 4820 Roblin Blvd., Oct. 22-23, noon-7 p.m.; Oct. 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Downtown Community Health and Social Services Centre, 755 Portage Ave., Oct 22-23, noon-7 p.m.
• Fort Garry: Southlands Community Church, 85 Keslar Road, Oct. 22-23, noon-7 p.m.; Oct. 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Inkster: Access Nor’West, 785 Keewatin St., Oct. 22-23, noon-7 p.m., Oct. 24-25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Point Douglas: North End Wellness Centre, 2nd floor, 363 McGregor St., Oct 22-23, noon-7 p.m.,
• River East: McIvor Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church, 200 McIvor Ave., Oct. 22-23, noon- 7 p.m.; Oct. 24-25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• River Heights: Crescentwood Community Centre, 1170 Corydon Ave., Oct. 22-223, noon-7 p.m.; Oct. 24, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Seven Oaks Community Health and Social Services Centre, 1050 Leila Ave., Oct. 22-23, noon-7 p.m.; Oct. 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• St. Boniface: Notre Dame Recreational Centre, 271 Avenue de la Cathedrale, Oct 22-23, noon-7 p.m.; Oct. 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• St. James: St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2400 Portage Ave., Oct 22-23, noon-7 p.m.; Oct 24-25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• St. Vital: Dakota Community Centre, 1188 Dakota St., Oct. 22-23, noon-7 p.m.; Oct. 24-25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Transcona: Canad Inns – Club Regent, 1415 Regent Ave. W., Oct. 22-23, noon-7 p.m.; Oct. 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Those most at risk of getting seriously ill from the flu include:

• People aged 65 or older;
• Residents of personal care homes or long-term care facilities;
• Children aged six months to five years;
• Anyone with a chronic illness;
• Pregnant women;
• Health-care workers and first responders;
• People with aboriginal ancestry; and
• People who are severely overweight or obese.