Flu season is here and now is the best time to get the shot.
Barret Procyshyn, a Pharmacist at Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy, encourages everyone to get it.
“People should get the flu shot because it prevents the flu, and not only does it prevent you from getting the flu but it prevents others from getting the flu. So if you get the flu shot, you have less of a chance of transferring the flu to others.”
He encourages people who are in contact with people who are at high risk of getting sick or if their chronic illness could get worse if they got the flu.
“A lot of young people don’t realize that they can actually get the flu, not have symptoms of influenza but transfer it to other people. That includes loved ones like grandmas and grandpas and young children.”
Forty-six people with lab-confirmed cases of the flu died in Manitoba last winter, the highest number in three years, and another 35 were admitted into intensive care units.
In total, there were 505 hospitalizations because of the flu last season across the province.
A record number of people received flu vaccines last winter with more than 320,000 doses given, that’s 22.5 percent of Manitobans.
You can go to your local pharmacy to get a flu shot for free any day or attend a free flu clinic in Dauphin on Friday, October 26th, November, 5th, 8th, or 9th.
