As we start to move toward flu season we start to think about getting the flu shot. To protect yourself and your friends and family from getting the flu, Manitoba Health is encouraging all Manitobans to get a free flu vaccine. For your protection, you should get immunized as soon as possible.
For more information from Wheat City Medical about the flu shot and how you can obtain your’s free please click here.
For the 2014-15 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
Everyone in the province over the age of 65 should also get a pneumococcal vaccine at the same time as the seasonal flu vaccine. The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against pneumococcal disease, including a serious type of pneumonia, blood infections and meningitis. Normally, you will only need one pneumococcal vaccine in your lifetime.
Check out this informative sample video from Nucleus Medical Media explaining the effects of the flu virus on the body and how the flu shot can protect you;