Vaccination season kicks off across the southeast
Seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinics begin this week in the southeast, offering a convenient way for residents to protect themselves as the winter months approach. Dr. Mahmoud Khodaveisi, Medical Officer of Health for Southern Health-Sante Sud, announced the first clinics will take place on Wednesday, with sessions scheduled in Ste. Anne and Sanford. The last clinics of the season are planned for November 18 in Ste. Agathe and Morris. In Steinbach, the Pat Porter Active Living Centre will host four clinics on October 27 and 29, and November 5 and 12, each running from 3 pm to 7 pm.
Who should get the vaccine and where
Dr. Khodaveisi encourages families with children to take advantage of the clinics. While health-care providers and pharmacies also offer flu shots, he notes that pharmacies do not immunize children, underscoring the importance of clinic-based services for younger patients.
Anyone aged six months and older is eligible and encouraged to receive the annual flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, individuals aged 65 and older might be eligible for the pneumococcal vaccine. For personalized guidance, residents should speak with their health-care provider.
Understanding the flu strain forecast
Each year, the World Health Organization tracks global influenza activity to predict the dominant strain and guides vaccine formulation accordingly. This year, observers in the Southern Hemisphere reported a flu season dominated by the H1N1 strain. Dr. Khodaveisi notes that this year’s prediction also centers on H1N1, which tends to affect younger children and the highest-risk groups most at the front of the line for severe illness.
In contrast, H3N2 is the other major strain, and historically vaccines align more closely with H1N1 when that strain is dominant, according to the health official.
Past and present vaccination trends
Dr. Khodaveisi points out that the flu season in the Southern Hemisphere this year mirrors the pattern seen in 2024 and has not been unusual. He also notes a downward trend in vaccination rates in Manitoba, with about 23 percent of residents receiving the flu shot in 2024. Among those aged 65 and older, roughly 60 percent received the flu vaccine last year, yet immunization numbers in Southern Health tend to run below the provincial average.
Practical tips and timing
Vaccination is safe and free of charge. It’s important to remember that receiving the flu shot does not guarantee against illness, but it can significantly reduce the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and emergency visits. Immunity typically takes about two weeks to develop after vaccination, so Dr. Khodaveisi advises getting the shot as soon as possible before peak winter months.
Clinic schedule at a glance
- Ste. Anne – October 15 and 16
- Lorette – October 21
- Dominion City – October 22
- Vita – October 22
- Niverville – October 27
- Steinbach (Pat Porter Active Living Centre) – October 27, 29; November 5, 12
- Richer – October 29
- Sprague – October 30
- St. Pierre – October 30
- St. Adolphe – November 3
- Grunthal – November 4
- Ile des Chenes – November 5
- Landmark – November 10
- Ste. Agathe – November 18
In Steinbach, the four clinics at the Pat Porter Active Living Centre are scheduled on four separate dates to accommodate families and workers alike. The clinics run from 3 pm to 7 pm, providing flexibility for school and work schedules.
Key takeaway
With flu season approaching and new COVID-19 guidance in circulation, Southeast residents have multiple opportunities to get vaccinated. Dr. Khodaveisi emphasizes safety, accessibility, and the goal of reducing hospitalizations and severe outcomes through timely vaccination.
