Immunizations for Adults

Public Health-Healthy Living 204-428-2772 Email

Adults should receive  tetanus and pertussis immunizations every 10 years (offered in the form of Tdap vaccine).

• Travel and occupation also affect when and what types of immunizations are needed. These are specialty areas and may incur a cost to the client. Book an appointment at a Travel Health Clinic near you for more information.
• Adults are also eligible for certain vaccines free-of-charge when they meet Manitoba Health’s criteria for ‘high risk guidelines’ which include those who have high-risk medical conditions and/or those who are at risk for certain infections

Every fall… remember that influenza immunization clinics are held in communities across Southern Health-Santé Sud. In addition to the Influenza Vaccine, people over 65 years of age and people who are at increased risk of pneumococcal infection should get immunized with the Pneumococcal Vaccine.

Clinics are regularly scheduled throughout the region. For more information, contact your local Public Health-Healthy Living office.

Fact sheets:

Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis and Polio

Immunizations for School-based Program (K-12)

Public Health-Healthy Living 204-428-2772 Email

Grade 6
As part of Manitoba’s provincial immunization schedule, all grade 6 students are eligible to receive two doses of both the hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) and human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) and one dose of meningococcal vaccine (Men-C-ACYW-135) free of charge.

Grade 8
As part of Manitoba’s provincial immunization schedule, all Grade 8 students are eligible to receive a booster dose of vaccine (Tdap) to protect against tetanus, diphteria and pertussis (whooping cough) free of charge.

For school-based immunization programs, consent forms and vaccine fact sheets are sent home advising parents or legal guardians that the vaccinations are available at school when they sign and return the consent form.

Immunizations for 4-6 years (school entry)

Public Health-Healthy Living 204-428-2772 Email

Your child will need another set of immunizations prior to starting kindergarten to boost the protection that started with the primary series.

Clinics are regularly scheduled throughout the region. For more information, contact your local Public Health-Healthy Living office.

Fact sheets:

Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis and Polio

Immunizations for 0-4 years

Public Health-Healthy Living 204-428-2772 Email

It is recommended that your child receive a primary series of vaccinations in order to build up resistance to several diseases. This series should be given starting at 2 months of age to ensure the best defense.

Child health clinics provide an opportunity to learn about your child’s healthy development during their early years, as well as provide immunizations. You will benefit from:

• assessment of your child’s health and development
• information on child care, parenting and family planning
• immunizations against disease
• conversation on health and well-being

Clinics are regularly scheduled throughout the region. For more information, contact your local Public Health-Healthy Living office.

Sexually Transmitted & Blood Borne Infections

Sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs) are the most common infectious diseases of public health importance in North America. They are infections that are spread primarily through person-to-person sexual contact. The second major route of transmission for some STBBIs is blood-to-blood contact, such as sharing needles among injection drug users. They can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth.

Did you know that:

• STBBIs can occur any time you have sexual contact
• STBBIs can affect your general health, well-being and ability to have children
• it is easier to prevent an STBBI than to treat one once it has happened
• Manitoba is experiencing an STBBI outbreak with higher rates of STBBIs than ever before

Southern Health-Santé Sud offers many services to reduce the risk of STBBIs such as free condoms, sex dams, gloves and safer injection kits.

If you think you may have a sexually transmitted disease, visit:

• your family doctor, nurse practitioner or a clinic near you
• a public health nurse or public health-healthy living office near you

For more information, access Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections.

Pregnancy Testing, Birth Control & Counselling

Pregnancy testing and sexual health counseling for young women and adults is offered at your local public health-healthy living office.

You can also speak to your family physician or a walk-in, Teen clinic, QuickCare clinic, where available.

Service includes:

• nursing assessment, education and counseling related to a full range of reproductive health matters, including birth control, pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections
• provision of Emergency Contraception (Plan B)
• pregnancy testing
• Depo-Provera injections
• oral contraceptives (birth control pills), intra-uterine devices (IUDs)
• free condoms

One of the goals of this service is to improve access for contraceptive health supplies which includes the provision of supplies at no charge to clients who experience barriers such as:

• economic hardship/poverty (including lack of or inability to access third party coverage)
• power inequities
• marginalized or stigmatized circumstances

A prescription from a duly-qualified health care practitioner is required for birth control pills, IUDs and Depo-Provera. No prescription is required for Emergency Contraception (Plan B). Provision of supplies is individualized for each client (e.g. Depo-Provera injections may be administered by the physician or the public health nurse).

For more information, please contact your local public health-healthy living office – they are generally open Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, but vary from community to community. It’s best to call ahead and confirm hours or an appointment. A public health nurse will be happy to meet with you either at the office or at a mutually agreeable location in the community.

Healthy Living Grants

Public Health-Healthy Living 204-428-2773 Email

Southern Health-Santé Sud provides different community granting opportunities throughout the year. These grants are available for programs and initiatives that reduce the risk of chronic disease and support community wellness and use a health equity approach. Projects must address the social determinants of health with a goal to involve underserved populations.

For more information on what might be available for your community, call 1-800-742-6509 and ask to speak with a Healthy Living Facilitator.

Resources

• Leading 4Impact
• Population Health Statistics

Get Better Together

Email 204-870-2813

Are you living with chronic disease such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure and would like to learn more about how to manage things differently?

Consider joining a Get Better Together group workshop geared towards taking control of your health and building confidence to better manage your health with the support of others. These free six-week workshops are for people with different chronic health problems who meet and support each other to:

• deal with frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation
• exercise to maintain and improve strength, flexibility and endurance
• learn about appropriate use of medications
• communicate with your family, friends and health care providers
• maintain proper nutrition
• engage with other community resources

Home Care

Home Care, Palliative Care & Seniors Email

Together with community partners, Southern Health-Santé Sud is fortunate to have many ‘care in your home’ options available to meet your needs to help you live independently in your community. Home care services will assess your needs and develop a personalized care plan to assist and support you in your daily living activities. If at any time your needs change, your case coordinator will reassess and adjust your care plan accordingly.

Home Care Offices

Resources

• Prevent Falls
• Your Guide to Home Care Services in Manitoba

French Language Services

French Language Services Unit 204-424-6045 Email

Southern Health-Santé Sud, a designated bilingual health authority, is proud of its commitment to providing health care services in both official languages, English and French, conforming to the Manitoba Government’s French Language Services (FLS) Policy. An Active Offerinforming the client that bilingual (English and French) services are available; ensuring that services in French are readily available, easily accessible, and comparable to those in English. is extended to the general public indicating that services at the site and/or program are available in both English and French.

These illustrations visually identify where French language services may be available and invites the public to request services in the official language of their choice.

Our partners

• Santé en français
• Société santé en français
• Francophone Affairs Secretariat

Resources

• Government of Manitoba French-Language Services Policy
• FLS Strategic Plan