The annual flu shot is your best defense against influenza. Getting vaccinated not only reduces your risk of severe illness, but it also helps shield high-risk individuals in your community, including seniors, young children, and those with chronic health conditions.
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You should get a flu shot every year. Influenza viruses change frequently, and each season’s vaccine is updated to protect against the most common strains expected that year. Even if you were vaccinated last year, your immunity decreases over time, so annual vaccination ensures you stay protected throughout each flu season.
The ideal time to get your flu shot is in early fall, typically between September and November, before flu season peaks. However, if you miss that window, it’s still beneficial to get vaccinated later, as flu activity can continue into the winter and even early spring.
In many provinces, the flu shot is publicly funded for eligible groups such as seniors, children, and individuals with certain health conditions. Some provinces offer it to all residents. If you’re unsure about eligibility, your pharmacist can confirm whether it’s covered or if there’s a cost.
No, the flu shot cannot give you the flu. The vaccine contains inactivated virus or protein components that help your immune system recognize and fight the virus. Some people may feel mild symptoms afterward, such as fatigue or soreness, but these are normal immune responses—not the flu.
The flu shot is recommended for nearly everyone aged 6 months and older. It’s especially important for seniors, pregnant individuals, young children, and people with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, as they are at higher risk of complications.
Most side effects are mild and short-lived. Common reactions include soreness at the injection site, slight fatigue, or a low-grade fever. Serious side effects are rare, and the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks for most people.
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How the virus spreads, who is at risk, and how vaccines help.
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Clear, pharmacist-backed answers to help you navigate flu vaccination, timing, and vaccine options with confidence.
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Everything you need to know about vaccine effectiveness, high-dose options for seniors, and seasonal protection.
Download our printable public FAQ guide to read offline, share with a family member, or bring to your next pharmacy visit.
The flu virus changes from year to year. Sometimes the viruses spreading in the community are a little different from those included in the vaccine. This is called a vaccine mismatch.
No. Even if the vaccine isn’t a perfect match, it still helps protect against serious illness, hospitalization, and complications from the flu.
The flu virus changes every year, which is why the vaccine is updated annually. While no vaccine is a perfect match every season, vaccination remains the best way to reduce your risk of severe illness and protect those around you.
Yes. Changes in the circulating flu virus do not affect the safety of the vaccine. Influenza vaccines continue to have an excellent safety record.
As we get older, our immune systems don’t respond as strongly to vaccines. Enhanced flu vaccines are designed to provide better protection for older adults.
In Canada, enhanced flu vaccines for adults 65 years and older include:
• High-dose vaccines
• Adjuvanted vaccines
Both are designed to provide stronger protection than a standard flu vaccine.
Enhanced flu vaccines are designed specifically for adults aged 65 years and older. They help produce a stronger immune response than a standard-dose flu vaccine, which can provide better protection because the immune system naturally becomes less responsive with age.
No. Current evidence shows that both high-dose and adjuvanted vaccines are good options for adults aged 65 years and older. One has not been shown to be better than the other.
Don’t delay getting vaccinated. Receiving the flu vaccine available for your age is generally better than waiting and remaining unprotected during flu season.
You should get a flu shot every year because flu viruses change over time and your protection decreases from one season to the next.
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