Flu shots on campus

Fort Garry Campus

It’s that time of year again! The University Health Service and Rady Faculty of Health Sciences is offering flu shots to any staff, student or member of the general public. Flu shots are free for anyone with a Manitoba health card or International students registered with suitable health insurance.

Flu Clinic – November 5 and 6

All staff/employees and students of the University of Manitoba, as well as members of the public are invited to attend the following clinics for a seasonal influenza immunization:

• Tuesday, November 5, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Wednesday, November 6, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Multi-purpose Rooms (MPR), second floor, UMSU University Centre

Please bring your Manitoba Health card or out-of-province health card when you attend a clinic. Please wear a shirt that allows you to expose your upper arm. Immunizations will be provided by clinicians as well as supervised healthcare students.

For every immunization given $5 will be donated to UNICEF to assist with childhood immunization programs throughout the world (we pay, you do not pay).

After your immunization you will be offered a free Fair Trade coffee.

University Health Service

Appointment required: To book your appointment with University Health Service call 204-474-8411 or drop in at 104 UMSU University Centre.

Why should I get the flu vaccine?

Ten to twenty percent of the Canadian population becomes infected with influenza each year, resulting in over 10,000 hospitalizations and over 3,000 deaths.

Getting the flu vaccine every year is the best way to protect against seasonal influenza (the flu). When you get immunized, you also help protect others as well by reducing the spread of the influenza virus. This is especially important because some people are too young to get immunized or have medical conditions that leave them at risk of getting influenza even if they have already been immunized.

The flu can seem similar to a common cold, but the symptoms of the flu are usually more severe. Fever, body aches, extreme tiredness and a dry cough are more common with the flu than with a common cold. Also, the flu is more likely to lead to serious problems like pneumonia, bacterial infections and hospitalization.

Other than a sore arm, the vaccine does NOT cause side effects such as fever, muscle aches, or respiratory illness.

This year, the flu vaccine will protect against four flu strains.

Who should get the flu vaccine?

Manitoba provides seasonal influenza vaccine free of charge to all Manitobans over six months of age.

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

They include:

• Seniors aged 65 years or older
• Residents of personal care homes or long-term care facilities
• Children six months to five years of age*
• Those with chronic illness such as:
  • an immune system weakened by disease or medical treatment
  • a condition that makes it difficult to breathe
  • cardiac or pulmonary disorders
  • children six months to adolescents 18 years of age on long-term acetylsalicylic acid (ex: Aspirin®) therapy
  • Children and adolescents with neurologic or neurodevelopment conditions
  • Other chronic medical conditions (ex: diabetes, renal disease, anemia, mental disabilities)
• Healthy pregnant women
• Health care workers and first responders
• Individuals of Aboriginal ancestry
• People who are severely overweight or obese

(taken from Manitoba Health, Influenza Factsheet)

You may also obtain an influenza immunization from one of the following options:

• Your own healthcare provider (e.g., family physician, nurse practitioner, pharmacist)
• Any WRHA Occupational Health units, for healthcare students and WRHA staff only; call the unit before attending (http://www.wrha.mb.ca/professionals/safety/contact.php)
• Public Health influenza clinics and offices.
• Most pharmacies (check with your local pharmacy)
• Walk-In Connected Care Clinics (WICC), or general walk-in clinics.

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