Public health gearing up for respiratory virus season

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This article was published 07/10/2025 (255 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba’s chief public health officer says it’s too soon to know when this year’s flu season will start in the province — only that he’s sure it will and is advising people to be prepared.

Dr. Brent Roussin said the public health department has already shipped out more than 100,000 doses of influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations to about 1,000 clinics in the province, including dozens of locations in the Prairie Mountain Health region.

“There’s no doubt that we will have a respiratory virus season, and there’s no doubt that it will put a strain on our system,” Roussin told the Sun in a phone interview Tuesday afternoon.

The numbers of COVID-19 cases are increasing, compared to just sporadic activity related to influenza, he said.

During the week of Sept. 21-27, PMH had 17 COVID-19 cases — the second highest in the province compared to other health regions, according to data from the province’s respiratory virus surveillance report.

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority had the most at 75, with the total number of cases in all five health regions reaching 115.

“COVID-19 hasn’t declared itself as a seasonal virus, because we essentially see it spread all year round,” Roussin said.

“It will get worse once we’re all indoors and it’s still making people sick. And those at increased risk, we’re still seeing severe outcomes.”

In the PMH region, more than 80 flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics are scheduled to open during the last week of October.

The first clinics open Oct. 27 in Russell, Swan River and Camperville, which is located 107 kilometres north of Dauphin.

There are three Brandon vaccination clinic locations, one at the Brandon Shoppers Mall and two at the Brandon Friendship Centre — 603 Princess Ave. and 205 College Ave.

The dates for the clinic at the Shoppers Mall location are Oct. 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20 and 27, and Dec. 4.

The Brandon Friendship Centre vaccination clinics will be held on Nov. 4 at 603 Princess Ave. and Nov. 25 at 205 College Ave.

Appointments are preferred at all clinics, but walk-ins are accepted.

To book an appointment, call toll-free 1-844-626-8222 or visit PMH’s website and enter the words “vaccine immunizations” in the search bar. People are reminded to download a copy of the immunization consent form in advance.

Roussin said anyone over six months old can receive the updated COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccine, with strong recommendations for those he considered high risk.

“So for COVID-19, that’s people 65 and older or those with underlying medical conditions, and then with influenza, it’s the same thing — 65 plus or with medical conditions.”

There has been a noticeable decline in vaccinations for children, Roussin said.

“Notable for influenza are those kiddos five years and under. Over the last couple years we’ve seen declining vaccines in those under five,” he said.

“They’re also at significant increased risk of severe outcomes, so we do want to ensure people are aware that that’s an important age group as well.”

During the couple of pandemic years, the number of people who were vaccinated peaked, Roussin said, but since then, there has been a definite decline.

“Last year we had about 16 per cent of the entire population get vaccinated (for COVID-19) and close to half of those were over 65. But, compared to the years before, that’s a dramatic decrease.”

Last year’s respiratory virus season was unusually late, with the highest number of cases showing up in January.

When flu season first hits, it’s the influenza A virus which tends to be more severe. Influenza B comes later in the second wave. The vaccination that will be available at all clinics protects from both, Roussin said.

While he can’t foresee when the first cases of the respiratory viruses will show up, Roussin said he can predict what happens when they do.

“One is that people we see in our ICUs and hospitals, almost none of them are vaccinated. So we can see right there the benefit of protecting against those severe outcomes.

“The other thing that’s predictable is most of the people we see in our ICUs and hospitals with influenza or COVID-19 have underlying chronic conditions,” he said.

“So, it’s so it’s really predictable who’s really at risk that we see the clear benefits of being vaccinated.”

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

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