Masking requirements for health-care workers are set to be reinstated at provincial health-care facilities across Manitoba&nbsp;as cold and flu season draws near.

Starting Oct. 18, health-care staff in Manitoba's hospitals, personal care homes and other health-care centres will have to wear medical masks when they're around patients, the province said in a news release Monday.

"This approach will help reduce the risk of spreading a respiratory virus from a health-care worker to a vulnerable patient, resident or client, particularly those who are more at risk of severe illness," the release said.

Staff working at regional health authorities, including those who provide home care and other services in the community, will also be required to wear a mask.&nbsp;

People visiting health-care facilities won't have to wear one, though the province recommends it, the release said.

Appointments for COVID-19, flu vaccines in Manitoba filling up fast, pharmacists say

Appointments are now available for COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots at pharmacies and other locations in Manitoba, though local pharmacists say they're filling up fast.

A man with short grey hair in a blue polo shirt that says "The Medicine Shoppe" stands in front of shelves of prescription drugs.

Jason Hoeppner, the owner Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in Winnipeg, is shown in a November 2021 photo.

Jason Hoeppner

Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy owner Jason Hoeppner, seen here in a file photo, says all 400 doses from his pharmacy's first shipment of the updated COVID-19 vaccine have already been allotted for appointments.

COVID-19, seasonal flu vaccines being sent to locations around Manitoba

The first shipments of updated COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccines are now being sent out across the province, starting with high-priority locations such as personal care homes and hospitals, according to Manitoba Health.

A nurse in a face mask bends down to give a child, seated in a chair, a vaccination.

A child receives a flu vaccine from the South Hill Family Health Centre in Vancouver on Oct. 16, 2020.

FLU SHOTS PARKADE

A child receives a flu vaccine in this file photo. The respiratory virus season last year affected many younger children in Manitoba.

Masks might&nbsp;be required, however, for visitors and other staff&nbsp;in facilities that care for&nbsp;immunocompromised patients, said the province, and there will be signs&nbsp;at these locations with the requirements.

People working at community-based health-care spaces, like doctor's officers and supportive housing, will continue to decide if&nbsp;masks are mandatory in their facilities.

All vaccinated Manitobans should get COVID-19 booster this fall, province recommends

With respiratory virus season on the horizon, the province is recommending all Manitobans who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 get an updated shot this fall. 

A Toronto resident gets a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic in April 2021.

Kenny Huynh, 24, gets his first dose of the Modern COVID-19 vaccine from Dr. Rachel Spitzer at a temporary clinic for residents of Toronto’s northeast Jane and Finch neighbourhood, at the San Romanoway apartments, on Apr. 20, 2021.

COVID-19 vaccines Toronto San Romanoway apartments

Public health officials say all vaccinated Manitobans should get a COVID-19 booster shot this fall. The updated vaccines are expected to provide better protection against the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant.

"Businesses, organizations and facilities should consider the needs of their organization, clients and staff for this upcoming respiratory virus season," the province said.

Manitoba will continue to distribute COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccines throughout the province. It expects the vaccines will be more widely available in the upcoming weeks.

The province said Manitobans can use its 

People visiting health-care facilities won't have to wear a medical mask, though the province recommends it.

Manitoba reinstates mask mandates for health-care workers in hospitals, care homes

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