A spokesperson for Southern Health-Santé Sud says it doesn't appear the flu season has started.

Bev Unger is Regional Manager for Public Health and Healthy Living. Unger says she typically will receive notification once the first cases of positive influenza occur in either the province or

region. She says that usually doesn't happen before December.

The regional health authority has now completed 89 advertised flu shot clinics, taking place in 69 communities. The first clinics were held October 19 in Steinbach, Winkler and Sanford, while the final one happened November 21, again in Steinbach. Unger says the number of clinics they hold is pretty standard year to year.

"I'd say the number of people coming to the clinics that public health puts on is similar to previous years," suggests Unger. "Some sites we've seen more people, some sites we've seen fewer people."

Unger says she thinks one reason why more people didn't visit clinics this year is because of how mild it was at the start of fall. She thinks because of the beautiful weather, people weren't thinking flu season was just around the corner.

Also, she says last year the province introduced the opportunity for pharmacies to offer flu shots. Unger thinks more and more people are taking advantage of that. She says it sounds like pharmacies still have the vaccine in stock and therefore that opportunity remains out there as an option.

With flu season not yet here and with no indication of how bad it might be this year, Unger says it's not too late to get the shot. She says even if you start to feel ill, it's never too late.

"If people are ill, a reminder, stay home, take a sick day, rather than struggling through it and going to work or school and potentially spreading it to other people," she says. "Just take care and take caution."

Read More:

Flu Season Nears