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 from season to season, and each year's vaccine is updated to match the strains most likely to circulate. Even if you were vaccinated last year, your protection fades over time, so getting vaccinated annually is the best way to stay covered.
Early fall, somewhere between September and November, is the ideal window to get your flu shot before the season peaks. That said, if you miss that timing, getting vaccinated later still offers meaningful protection since flu activity can continue well into winter and early spring.
In many provinces, the flu shot is publicly funded for eligible groups including seniors, young children, and people with certain health conditions. Some provinces make it available to all residents at no cost. Your RxHealthMed pharmacist can let you know what is covered in your area.
No, the flu shot cannot give you the flu. The vaccine contains inactivated virus or protein components that teach your immune system to recognize the virus. Some people notice mild symptoms like soreness or fatigue afterward, but these are simply normal signs that your immune system is responding.
The flu shot is recommended for almost everyone aged 6 months and older. It is especially important for seniors, pregnant individuals, young children, and people living with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, as these groups face a higher risk of serious complications.
Side effects are generally mild and brief. The most common reactions are some soreness at the injection site, light fatigue, or a slight fever. Serious reactions are rare, and the protection the vaccine provides far outweighs any minor discomfort for most people.
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Clear, pharmacist-backed answers to help you navigate flu vaccination, timing, and vaccine options with confidence.
Staying healthy through Canada’s flu season takes planning. As the temperature drops, influenza viruses circulate widely across the country. The flu is more than a bad cold. It is a serious respiratory infection that can disrupt your health, your work, and your family’s routine for weeks. The flu shot remains your best protection against severe […]
Staying healthy through Canada’s cold and flu season takes planning. As the temperature drops, influenza (flu) and the common cold viruses circulate widely, making prevention and smart treatment essential. Flu shots remain the best protection against serious illness, while well-chosen cold remedies can ease symptoms and speed recovery when viruses strike. In this guide, we […]
Everything you need to know about vaccine effectiveness, high-dose options for seniors, and seasonal protection.
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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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