Flu (seasonal influenza): Get your flu vaccine (flu shot)
Flu clinics across Canada offer free vaccines.
Seasonal influenza, often referred to as the flu, is a contagious viral respiratory illness.
On this page
- Why get the flu vaccine
- Getting the flu vaccine with other vaccines
- You need a flu vaccine every year
- Vaccine safety
Why get the flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is your best defense against the flu. The flu vaccine is recommended every year in the fall, ideally before the flu season starts. Almost everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine.
The flu vaccine protects you by:
- reducing your chances of getting the flu
- helping prevent serious flu-related complications
The flu vaccine also helps protect people close to you because you're less likely to spread the flu to them if you're vaccinated.
In addition to vaccination, you can use personal protective measures to lower your risk of getting or spreading a respiratory illness like the flu.
Learn more:
- Complications of the flu
- Respiratory infectious diseases: Reduce your risk with personal protective measures
Getting the flu vaccine with other vaccines
People 6 months of age and older can get their flu vaccine:
- at the same time as other vaccines
- anytime before or after other vaccines
The flu and other respiratory illnesses are caused by different viruses. The flu vaccine won't protect you against any other illnesses, such as:
- COVID-19
- avian influenza A(H5N1)
- respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Keeping up to date with all recommended vaccinations will help protect you through the respiratory illness season.
If you have an upcoming vaccination appointment and have cold or flu symptoms, tell your health care provider ahead of time. If they advise you to keep the appointment, wear a well-fitting mask to help prevent spreading illness to others.
Learn more:
- Flu clinics across Canada
- RSV: Symptoms and treatment
- COVID-19 vaccination: Book an appointment
- COVID-19: Symptoms, treatment, what to do if you feel sick
- Respiratory infectious diseases: Reduce your risk with personal protective measures
You need a flu vaccine every year
Every year, different strains of the flu virus circulate during the flu season.
The World Health Organization studies worldwide trends and recommends the strains to be included each year in the annual flu vaccine. This is done to ensure that the flu vaccine provides protection against the strains of the virus that are most likely to circulate.
Vaccination recommendations
Adults and children 9 years of age and older should receive 1 dose of flu vaccine each year.
Children from 6 months to less than 9 years of age who have never had a flu vaccine before should receive 2 doses. It's recommended that the doses be given at least 4 weeks apart during the current flu season.
Only 1 dose is needed for children 6 months to less than 9 years of age who have been vaccinated with 1 or more doses of the flu vaccine in any previous season.
It's especially important for some people to get the influenza vaccine, including those at risk of:
- severe illness
- spreading the flu to people at high risk of complications
Learn more:
Effectiveness of the flu vaccine
It generally takes about 2 weeks for your flu vaccine to provide the best protection.
The effectiveness of the vaccine can vary and may depend on:
- your health and age
- how well this year's vaccine matches this year's circulating flu strains
Sometimes, the flu virus strains that are circulating in the population change while the vaccine is being produced. When this happens, it's still recommended that you get your flu vaccine. It will keep you better protected than someone who hasn't been vaccinated. However, the flu vaccine may not be as effective.
Vaccine safety
Side effects after a flu vaccine are generally mild and go away on their own within a few days. You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine. Severe reactions are very rare.
Learn more: