You know winter is coming when the province announces free flu shots.

The annual influenza immunization campaign kicked off in Steinbach on Friday September 30, 2016.

This year Manitoban’s will once again be able to get the influenza vaccine free of charge from their health care provider including Pharmacists.

“Getting immunized protects the person who received the vaccine but it is also key in the prevention of serious illnesses for those unable to receive the influenza vaccine, like newborns,” said Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Kelvin Goertzen.  

The immunization campaign is aimed at keeping Manitoban’s healthy throughout the flu season but it also helps to reduce the health-care costs associated with people needing to go to emergency rooms and clinics should they come down with the flu

Influenza can spread easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing or by touching objects contaminated with the flu virus. You can minimize the risk of getting or spreading the flu by covering coughs and sneezes, and washing their hands regularly.

“This year, the province will again provide the quadrivalent vaccine, which protects Manitobans against two influenza A strains and two influenza B strains,” said Dr. Michael Routledge, chief provincial public health officer. 

In addition to the flu vaccine, if you are over 65, you can also get the pneumococcal vaccine at no cost to you. The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against pneumococcal disease including a serious type of pneumonia, blood infections and meningitis.  Most adults only need one pneumococcal vaccine in their lifetime.

-News4 Staff-