Southern Health continues to see the among the lowest percentage of residents receive their flu shot.

Bev Unger is Regional Manager for Public Health/ Healthy Living. She says there were just over 32,000 flu shots given to residents of this region this year, which works out to about 15.5% of the population. According to Unger, that percentage has stayed fairly consistent over the years.

"I looked at other regions throughout the province as well, and we are traditionally one of the lower regions with immunization coverage for influenza," notes Unger.

The flu shot is available to all Manitobans, except for those under the age of six months.

Meanwhile, Unger says there were 122 cases of the flu reported in the region this year. She notes per capita, that is higher than most regions.

"Maybe that correlates with our immunization coverage," Unger suggests.

According to Unger, there was fairly low activity for influenza across Manitoba this year. She says that shows there was a good match between the vaccine and strain of influenza circulating amongst the population.

Unger says she wasn't surprised to learn that nearly 85% of the region opted not to get the flu shot this year. She says even though they try to increase access to flu shots, it seems either residents don't think influenza will hit them or they don't have loved ones who have been impacted.

"As long as I've been in public health in the region we seem to hover around that same coverage rate," notes Unger. "I don't know what is going to change peoples' minds, but we will continue to offer flu shots in as many places as possible and encourage people to consider vaccination."

Unger says vaccination saves lives and protects people. She notes when it's a good match, as it was this year, it definitely prevents incidents of influenza.