Province encouraging Manitobans to get latest COVID, flu vaccines

The province is encouraging Manitobans to get updated COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccines to protect community health against respiratory viruses.

Minister of Health Uzoma Asagwara received A COVID vaccine shot Friday afternoon in downtown Winnipeg.

“I really care about protecting not only myself but also my loved ones and our communities. We are pretty much right in flu season right now, so any steps that we can take to protect our loved ones, make sure that we’re healthy and safe,” said Asagwara.

“I got vaccinated specifically the COVID vaccine today and I’m encouraging everybody who is able to go out and do the same.”

The province says vaccines continue to be distributed to hundreds of locations across the province to ensure sufficient supply is available for all Manitobans.

Earlier this week, Premier Wab Kinew rolled up his sleeve to get his COVID-19 and flu shots, encouraging Manitobans to do the same. According to the province,  getting vaccinated lessens the risk of illness and severe outcomes, while also reducing pressure on the health-care system.

The province says more than 109,000 doses of the flu vaccine and almost 59,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have already been given to Manitobans this respiratory virus season.

“Yesterday I had my flu shot. I did have a COVID shot at the end of May. It’s not time for me to have my COVID shot until the end of this month. And certainly, at the end of the month, in early December, I will have the COVID shot. I think it’s very important to be protected and to keep others protected as well,” said one Winnipegger CityNews spoke to.

Manitoba Health has recorded 49 hospital admissions, 4 ICU admissions and 2 deaths from COVID-19 for the week of October 22 to 28.  As of October 28, 77 per cent of Manitobans have received at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccines and 21.7 per cent have received at least one dose of the bivalent vaccine.

Water Waste Surveillance data to October 24 shows increased COVID-19 activity in Brandon and Winnipeg’s West End, which when compared to Fall last year, Winnipeg regions have similar activity and Brandon has lower activity.