Local News
Flu shot clinics open up in Southern Health-Sante Sud
Seasonal flu and COVID-19 clinics are up and running across Manitoba. Dr. Mahmoud Khodaveisi is Medical Officer of Health for Southern Health-Sante Sud. He is especially encouraging families with children to get vaccinated at a clinic. He notes health care providers and pharmacies are also offering flu shots, but says pharmacies are not immunizing children. Dr. Khodaveisi says anyone who is six months of age and older is eligible and encouraged to receive the annual flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine. He notes individuals 65 years and older might also be eligible to receive the pneumococcal vaccine. For more information, individuals should speak with their health-care provider. Meanwhile, he says every year the World Health Organization monitors the global spread of influenza and identifies which strain will most likely be circulating. The vaccine is then created to work against that strain. Dr. Khodaveisi notes that in the Southern Hemisphere this year, they experienced mainly the H1N1 influenza. "This year, the prediction is we will have H1N1," he confirms. Dr. Khodaveisi says H1N1 typically impacts younger children and those in the highest priority groups that are at higher risk for severe disease. "Sixty-five years of age and older, children, people with chronic health conditions, and pregnant women," he clarifies. The other strain is H3N2. Dr. Khodaveisi says historically, the vaccine is a better match when the dominant strain is H1N1, compared to H3N2. According to Dr. Khodaveisi, this year's flu season in the Southern Hemisphere was very similar to 2024. He notes it was not an unusual flu season. The percentage of Manitobans who get the flu shot continues to drop. Dr. Khodaveisi says for both the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine, numbers have been declining the last five years. In 2024, about 23 per cent of Manitobans got the flu shot. However, he points out that about 60 per cent of those aged 65 and older got the flu vaccine last year. Immunization numbers in Southern Health run lower than the provincial average. Dr. Khodaveisi reminds the public that the vaccine is safe. He points out that just because you get the flu shot, that does not mean you will not get sick. However, it is intended to prevent hospitalization, emergency visits, or other complications. Dr. Khodaveisi also encourages getting the flu shot as soon as possible, noting it usually takes about two weeks for immunity to fully develop. "So, it's better to get the vaccine before the peak in the winter months," he adds. "It's very safe and effective and free of charge." Visit the Southern Health website for more information on these clinics and others that are scheduled for the region.