Manitoba has become the first province in Canada to introduce a high-dose flu vaccine to better protect vulnerable residents of personal care homes from influenza.
This year, the high-dose seasonal influenza vaccine is being offered to people 65 years of age or older who are living in a personal care home. The vaccine provides a higher level of protection against two types of influenza A and one type of influenza B predicted to be circulating in North America this fall and winter.
Lower respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia and bronchitis, are a leading cause of hospital admissions in adults aged 65 years or older. To protect people from getting influenza, Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living encourages all Manitobans to get a free flu vaccine early every fall.
The flu vaccine is typically available from health-care providers in early October. For more information on seasonal flu and the flu vaccine, visit gov.mb.ca.
