The Medical Officer of Health for Southern Health-Santé Sud says we are probably still at least a month away from the start of flu season here in southern Manitoba. But, Dr. Shelley Buchan says they are already preparing.

Dr. Buchan explains influenza cycles through our communities each year, typically arriving around November and then lasting until March. While she expects the vaccine will be a good match this year, Dr. Buchan says they won't know for sure, until the season arrives. Back in 2014-15, she says it was not a good match and as a result influenza was circulating for twelve months that year.

"We had a lot of outbreaks, particularly in personal care homes and we knew that that's what influenza would look like if we did not have a vaccine," she says.

According to Dr. Buchan, influenza will start off like most common colds, characterized by a cough, headache and low-grade fever. It will then progress to more severe respiratory symptoms. And for those already combating other illnesses, she says it can result in pneumonia and hospitalization.

"We do see particularly for the very frail that if they get an influenza infection it will often lead to compromising their own other conditions and we do see increased deaths during influenza season here," she says.

The influenza vaccine is free for anybody over the age of six months. Clinics will start in the region during the last week of October. Dr. Buchan says to expect a brochure in the mail in the coming days.

"What we are trying to do with the influenza vaccine is really protect those individuals that don't mount a good response to infection and those are young infants, pregnant women, people with chronic diseases as well as the elderly," explains Dr. Buchan.

But she says they also suggest caregivers and those in contact with high risk groups to also get the shot in order to limit the spread.

Dr. Buchan says the vaccine is really the best way for people to protect themselves from influenza. She reminds people to continue washing their hands regularly, cover their coughs, stay at home when sick and seek medical help if the condition does not improve.