The Northern Health Region and Manitoba Health is encouraging all Manitobans to get a flu vaccine.

Carolyn McCusker, Registered Nurse and Immunization Coordinator for the NHR says symptoms of the flu are different than a cold because they’re more severe:

"Typical symptoms of the flu are high fever, between 39 and 40 degrees Celsius, severe headaches, general aches and pains, fatigue and weakness lasting up to 2-3 weeks or more, extreme fatigue and exhaustion early on, sometimes a runny, stuffy nose, sore throat, chest discomfort and coughing".

The NHR starts their flu shot clinics for this year on Monday. A full schedule can be found on their website.

McCusker says the flu shot is 50-70% effective in preventing hospitalization and 85% effective in preventing death.