We hosted a webinar with Manitoba Public Health last week to ensure physicians are up to date on this season’s forecasts and changes to Manitoba’s influenza, COVID-19 and RSV programs that will affect your patients.

📈Trends we’re watching: Ongoing trends in the southern hemisphere help public health specialists predict our season will be like. 

• Predominant influenza strain: Southern hemisphere activity points to H3N2 as the predominant influenza strain, with influenza B also circulating in parts of South America. 
• COVID-19 activity has been relatively low: Levels in Australia are substantially below what was seen in 2025. 
• RSV is circulating alongside influenza: This is an important feature of the southern hemisphere’s respiratory virus season that Public Health will be monitoring closely.

💉 Concerning decline: Influenza and COVID-19 vaccine coverage in Manitoba continued to decline during the 2025 – 26 season. The decline was particularly pronounced for COVID-19 vaccination, including among adults 65 and older.

🩺 What’s new: Manitoba is simplifying and expanding parts of its respiratory immunization programs.

• Influenza: All Manitobans 6 months and older are eligible. Fluad will be the single enhanced influenza vaccine available to all Manitobans 65 and older.
• COVID-19: All Manitobans six months and older remain eligible, but the product to be used depends on the age of the patient.
• RSV – Infants: All infants born during the RSV season (Oct. 1 – March 31) should be offered nirsevimab before discharge from their birthing facility. Those born April through September are now eligible for a fall catch-up dose, ideally at their routine two‑, four- or six-month visit. 
• RSV — Older adults: Manitobans 80 and older are now eligible for one lifetime publicly funded dose. The existing program for people 60 – 79 in personal care homes continues. View this slide for quick reference. 

Bottom line: As respiratory season approaches, be sure you are registered to receive vaccine supply, review eligibility requirements and have vaccines available when possible. Every clinical encounter is an opportunity to protect patients before respiratory illness puts them in the ER or ICU.

Did you miss the webinar? We’ve got you covered! View the recording for more information about pregnancy recommendations, appropriate billing, and more.