Seasonal Flu

To protect yourself as well as those around you from getting influenza (the flu) Manitoba Health (Health) is encouraging all Manitobans to get their free seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine every year in the early fall.


Influenza Vaccine Eligibility
  • Manitobans 6 months of age and older who are registered with Manitoba Health are eligible for the influenza vaccine free-of-charge.
  • Manitobans 65 years of age and older who are registered with Manitoba Health are also eligible for the high-dose influenza vaccine free-of-charge.
  • International students and out-of-province visitors are eligible to receive the flu vaccine free-of-charge regardless of third-party insurance and/or Manitoba Health coverage (an administration fee may be charged).

An annual flu vaccine is especially important for those at increased risk of serious illness from the flu, their caregivers, and their close contacts. This includes:

  • people 65 years of age and older
  • residents of personal care homes or long-term care facilities
  • children six to 59 months of age
  • individuals with the following chronic health conditions:
    • an immune system weakened by disease or medical treatment (e.g., cancer)
    • cardiac or pulmonary disorders (e.g., cystic fibrosis, asthma)
    • long-term acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin®) therapy (for those between six months and 18 years of age only)
    • neurologic or neurodevelopmental conditions
    • diabetes and other metabolic diseases
    • renal disease
    • anemia or hemoglobinopathy
    • obesity (body mass index = 40)
  • pregnant individuals
  • breastfeeding women if not given during that pregnancy
  • health care workers and first responders
  • those who provide services within closed or relatively closed settings to people at high risk (e.g., crew on a ship)
  • people who provide essential community services
  • regular caregivers of children up to five years of age
  • household contacts of anyone at increased risk of serious illness from the flu including those with infants under six months of age and/or expecting a newborn
  • Indigenous people
  • People who are in direct contact with poultry infected with avian influenza during culling operations
Pneumococcal Vaccine

Manitobans over the age of 65 should also get a pneumococcal (Pneu-P-23) vaccine at the same time as the flu vaccine.  Both the flu and the Pneu-P-23 vaccine are offered at no charge for people aged 65 and older as well as to some people two years of age and older who are at increased risk of pneumococcal infection.

Most people need only one dose of Pneu-P-23 vaccine. Some people living with certain medical conditions require a second dose of Pneu-P-23 vaccine. Talk to your health care provider to determine if/when a second dose is required. Additionally, some individuals living with certain medical conditions (e.g., HIV) may also need another kind of pneumococcal vaccine, known as the Pneu-C-13 vaccine. If you are interested in finding out more about the Pneu-P-23 and/or Pneu-C-13 vaccine, please talk to your health care provider or visit this page to see if you are eligible to receive the Pneu-P-23 and/or Pneu-C-13 vaccine free-of-charge.

Where to Locate and How to Book Flu, COVID-19 and Pneumococcal Vaccines in Manitoba

Free flu, COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccines are being offered at a variety of sites such as public health offices, medical clinics, access centers, pharmacies, vaccine clinics, and nursing stations.

VACCINE FINDER MAP

To book your flu, COVID-19, and pneumococcal (Pneu-P-23) vaccine at a site near you , use the Vaccine Finder Map. This tool will help you in finding the nearest location to you with available vaccines. You can use the contact information provided on the map to make your appointment directly with your pharmacy or medical clinic.

Note: Pharmacies are only authorized to provide COVID-19 and flu vaccines to individuals aged 2 years and above.

BY PHONE

You can call 1-844-MAN-VACC (1-844-626-8222) toll-free Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to book an appointment at a public health clinic.

ONLINE

You can create an account on Manitoba Vaccination Services through the Petal System and follow the prompts to book the vaccine appointment online for a public health clinic.

Remember to contact your health care provider first to check for flu, COVID-19 and/or pneumococcal (Pneu-P-23) vaccine availability and/or with your local pharmacist to see if they offer immunization services.

Please refer to the Vaccine Finder Map to find the location nearest to you.

Did you know?

Pharmacists can administer COVID-19 and flu vaccines to children 2 years of age and older.


If you have any questions about seasonal flu or pneumococcal immunization:

Speak with a health care provider or call Health Links – Info Santé at:

204-788-8200 in Winnipeg or toll-free 1-888-315-9257