The number of people attending flu shot clinics in Southern Health continues to drop.

Bev Unger is Regional Manager for Public Health/ Healthy Living. She says the number of clinics this year was very similar to last year. Yet, this year, 9,587 shots were administered, which is about 20 percent lower than in 2016. And, 2016 saw about a 25 percent decline from 2015.

"We anticipated that we might have fewer people come out," admits Unger. "We've seen a bit of that trend over the last couple of years, especially since pharmacists in Manitoba are able to give flu shots to people who are seven years of age and older."

Unger says because pharmacies run convenient retail hours, it seems many people are opting for that option over a clinic.

But Unger says until they get final numbers from the province, it is too early to say whether this trend is concerning. She notes the total number of people that were immunized in this region in 2016 was right on par with 2015. It's just that more and more people are choosing to get their shot from a different provider.

She notes it is not too late to get the shot. In fact, according to Unger, influenza is beginning to converge on southern Manitoba.

"People are becoming ill and we certainly want to encourage people to get the flu shot if they are able," she says. "Pharmacists continue to offer the flu shot for people age seven and older and primary care providers and public health are able to immunize individuals of all ages."

Unger says influenza cases are mild right now. She notes the peak season usually doesn't hit until December. It is often Christmas when numbers really increase.

Meanwhile, Unger says they have not yet heard if the strain of vaccine is matching the strain of influenza this year.