About Influenza
Influenza (commonly referred to as “the flu”) is a contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory system – nose, throat, and lungs – causing mild to severe symptoms. Even in healthy people, the flu can cause serious illness and potentially life-threatening complications such as pneumonia.
One of the best ways to protect yourself
against flu is to get your annual flu vaccination.
If you are immunocompromised, elderly or otherwise at risk of developing complications from flu, it is highly recommended that you get your annual flu shot. This is also true if you are in regular, close contact with someone at risk of developing flu complications.
About the Influenza Vaccine
A new flu vaccine is created every year to protect you against the most dominant flu variants circulating that year. It is important to get a new flu shot every year so that you are up to date on the most effective vaccine and to ensure that your flu shot’s effectiveness has not worn off.
Generally available in the early fall, the flu vaccine is a safe and effective way of protecting yourself and others against the flu.
The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older, including pregnant women. The flu shot also helps protect newborn babies during the first six months after birth – a time when they are at higher risk for flu complications and cannot yet be vaccinated.
For people over the age of 65, there are three different flu shots available:
- The standard-dose vaccine that protects against four strains of flu
- An adjuvanted vaccine that protects against three strains of flu and helps to promote a better immune response
- A high-dose vaccine which protects against four strains of flu virus, but in higher doses.
You should speak to your family physician or primary care provider about the best option for you.
Where can I get the flu shot?
Flu season typically runs from late fall to early spring. Getting your flu shot as soon as it becomes available is recommended because it takes two weeks to take effect.
The flu shot is free from your doctor or nurse practitioner at participating pharmacies and local public health units across the province.
Get Your Annual Flu Shot
One of the best ways to protect yourself against flu is to get your annual flu vaccination.
If you are immunocompromised, elderly or otherwise at risk of developing complications from flu, it is highly recommended that you get your annual flu shot. This is also true if you are in regular, close contact with someone at risk of developing flu complications.
Generally available in the early fall or winter in Ontario, your family physician’s office or local pharmacist can easily administer the vaccination, often with little to no side effects.
When You Should Not Get the Flu Vaccine
The flu vaccine is generally very safe. However, there are a few instances where it is not indicated.
You should not get the influenza vaccine if:
- You have experienced a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to the influenza vaccine in the past.
- You have experienced a severe allergic reaction to an ingredient in the influenza vaccine in the past, with the exception of an egg allergy.
- While some flu vaccines contain small amounts of egg protein, for most people with egg allergies, receiving the flu vaccine is still safe. If you have questions about vaccine ingredients and the potential for an allergic reaction to occur, speak with your family physician for more
information. - You are seriously ill. In this case, you can receive your flu vaccine once you are feeling better.
- You have developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of a previous influenza vaccination. In this case, speak with your family health care provider to weigh the potential risks of GBS associated with influenza infection and the benefits of influenza vaccination.
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