Flu shots have begun in hopes of lowering residents' risk of contracting influenza this winter.
    
Dr. Michael Routledge, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Southern Health-Santé Sud explained the vaccination is based on expert research of flu trends over the past several years, and what's happened in areas of the world where the flu season arrives earlier than in North America. The vaccine includes protection against four different strains of influenza.
    
Dr. Routledge encourages people to think about getting the flu vaccine, especially those at high risk, as it can save lives or reduce the risk of serious illness. Those at high risk include the elderly, people in personal care homes, very young children and infants, pregnant woman, and people with chronic diseases.

On average, only about 20 to 25 percent of people in the province get the flu vaccine each year. "We want to make sure everyone has the information and knows it is available for anybody."  

The flu shot is available free of charge for anyone in Manitoba.