Health minister urging Manitobans to get flu, COVID vaccines

Following what Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara described as the worst flu season in two decades, the province is urging Manitobans to roll up their sleeves and get their updated COVID shots and flu vaccinations.

“We want to make it clear we are taking a different approach, a proactive approach to ensure, so no one has to wonder whether their grandparent, their parent, their child or their loved one will have access to the care that they need,” Asagwara said.

According to the latest data from the province, over the past six months, vaccination rates have significantly dropped. Only one per cent – or just under 14,000 Manitobans –have received at least one dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine.

“I can’t emphasize it enough, it is time to get vaccinated. Do not delay it,” Asagwara said.

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Aside from vaccinations, the minister of health said the province remains committed to taking the necessary steps to help lessen the load on the health-care system – adding 18 hospital beds to ICUs across the province for a total of 110. That’s in addition to 112 acute care beds, with plans to open 70 more.

“What we see every year are increased pressures on the system and we want to make sure the sickest Manitobans have the care they need in the province,” the health minister said.

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The province’s chief public health officer, Dr. Brent Roussin, emphasized the importance of getting the up-to-date flu shot, specifically for those patients considered high-risk.

“The ICU-related admissions last year related to influenza, almost none of them were vaccinated, but almost all of them had very significant underlying health conditions, so we had this missed opportunity there to protect Manitobans,” Roussin said.

Vaccines for both the flu and the latest COVID subvariant KP.2 are now available at medical clinics, pharmacies and nursing stations throughout the province.