More high-dose flu shots for seniors in Manitoba available this year; normal flu shot shipped out

If you’re a senior who wasn’t eligible to get the high-dose flu shot for free, that may change this year.

The province of Manitoba is expanding which seniors will qualify for a free high-dose influenza shot this flu season.

People aged 65 years and older who meet one of the following criteria can get a high-dose flu shot for free:

• residents of supportive and assisted living housing;
• those who are newly incarcerated or transferred from other federal or out of province correctional facilities;
• those receiving home care services while on a waiting list for admission into a long-term care facility;
• those living on a First Nation or in a remote or isolated community; and
• those living north of the 53rd parallel of latitude.

The high-dose shot contains four times the amount of antigen in the vaccine, compared to a normal flu shot.

3:17 Flu shot season in Manitoba

NDP leader Wab Kinew said the new criteria doesn’t go far enough.

“The Pallister government has missed the opportunity to ensure that the high-dose flu vaccine will be made available to all seniors free of charge,” he said.

“Prairie Mountain Health’s appointment system for flu clinics is already overwhelmed with calls from concerned people wanting to protect themselves and loved ones.”

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The normal flu shot is available to everyone free of charge, either at their doctor’s office, various community clinics, pharmacies and at public health nurse offices.

Dr. Brent Roussin, the province’s Chief Public Health Officer, said the province has shipped out 150,000 doses already, and they are making their way into offices and clinics.

The provincial government expects about 40 per cent of Manitobans to get the flu shot this year, compared to last year’s 26 per cent.

“I think demand will be higher this year, we’re certainly expecting that,” he said.

Manitoba’s flu season generally runs from the last week in October until about May. Numbers are reported weekly on the Manitoba Government website.

Last season’s numbers, from September 2019 until the middle of March 2020, included 403 people hospitalized, 40 people admitted to ICU, and 29 deaths.

On average, around 26 per cent of Manitobans get the flu shot each year. This year the province is anticipating an influx of people seeking shots and increased its vaccine order by 20 per cent, according to Chief Nursing Officer Lanette Siragusa in September.

Last flu season the province ordered 11,500 high-dose vaccinations. This year, Health Minister Cameron Friesen said in August the order will increase to up to 21,500 high-dose shots.

For months the province has been putting plans in place to be able to safely vaccinate people in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Looking at what kind of staffing needs is there’s going to be to immunize people for influenza, looking at space considerations,” Siragusa said.

“We will need bigger spaces, people need to be physically distanced.”

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The province is also looking at a new approach, where in some situations, staff will be sent out to vaccinate people as opposed to needing them to come to a clinic.

In some areas, it could also mean patients will need to book an appointment to get their flu shot as opposed to just being able to walk-in to a clinic or hospital.

-With files from Brittany Greenslade