Outreach clinics set up in Winnipeg to get flu, COVID-19 shots to vulnerable populations

With respiratory virus season on the horizon, Winnipeg health officials are organizing outreach clinics to make it easier for those facing barriers in accessingtraditional health-care providers.

One of those clinics took place Monday at the Thrive Community Support Circle in downtown Winnipeg.

Nengi Offurum, marketing officer at Thrive Community Support Circle, said the organization serves many people who face barriers accessing doctor's offices or other health-care providers, such as transportation.

"We are bringing it directly to them, making it easier and convenient for them," she said.

Dr. Bunmi Fatoye, a medical officer of health with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, says the health authority plans to hold as many outreach clinics as it can to reach more people.

"We're going anywhere where the vaccine is needed," Fatoye said.

To make immunizations as accessible as possible, people won't a need a health card to get their shots at these outreach clinics, she said.

"Having a health card, if that is a mandatory requirement, that is a barrier, so we have other ways that we can identify them and ensure that they receive the care that they require," she said.

Get shots early

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are now available throughout the province for everyone six months old and up at medical clinics, Access centres, vaccine clinics, pharmacies, nursing stations and through public health.

Health authorities are hoping more people get their shots this fall than they did last fall, both to prevent illness and to free up resources in hospitals.

Fatoye says the sooner you can get your shots, the better.

"The most important thing is that we need to be prepared, and part of our preparation requires us being immunized because we need at least two weeks to get our body's immune system to provide this robust response that we need to protect ourselves," she said.

You can find a vaccine provider through the province's online map.