The Medical Officer of Health for Southern Health-Santé Sud says it appears fewer people attended flu shot clinics in the region this year than last year.

88 clinics were held in 64 communities, with the last clinic happening last week. Dr. Michael Routledge says they don't yet have the final numbers but the reports from their clinics is that attendance was down.

"One of the hypotheses is that with pharmacies taking on flu shots over the last couple of years, we've seen sort of an increase in the amounts of vaccines given through pharmacies," suggests Routledge.

He says another thought is that because of how warm our fall has been, it could be that it just doesn't feel like flu season, and this might also be keeping people away.

Routledge notes there are four strains of virus in the flu vaccine this year. Two of those are Influenza A and two are Influenza B. He says it is always a bit of a guess as to which one might hit and the World Health Organization has to make that call early on.

"They are usually very good with that guess," he says. "What we have seen, combined with what other parts of Canada are seeing would suggest that we're probably going to see a type of influenza that is part of the vaccine."

Routledge says flu season in Manitoba is generally considered from early November until April. However, he says its arrival changes from year to year. He notes there are often two waves, with the first one coming towards the end of December, during Christmas break. Last year it happened a little later. He says the larger wave is often Influenza A and the smaller one is Influenza B.

According to Routledge, for years the medical world has tried to figure out what triggers flu season. Some people believe it is weather related, while others suggest it has more to do with the time of year, such as the Christmas season.

Meanwhile, Routledge still highly encouraged anyone that hasn't received a flu shot, to get one. He says other tips for staying healthy this winter include staying physically fit, eating a good diet and getting lots of sleep. Further to that, he suggests washing your hands regularly, coughing into your sleeve and then staying home if you are sick.