Flu (influenza): Get your flu vaccine (flu shot)
Flu clinics across Canada offer free vaccines.
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 or winter, ideally before the flu season starts. Almost everyone who is at least 6 months of age should get a flu vaccine.
The flu vaccine protects you by:
- helping prevent serious flu-related complications
- reducing your chances of getting the flu at the same time as other respiratory illnesses, which could make you very sick
- protecting the health care system from becoming overwhelmed during respiratory illness season
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, such as:
- staying home when sick
- wearing a well-fitting mask when appropriate
- cleaning your hands regularly
Learn more:
- Complications of the flu
- Respiratory infectious diseases: How to reduce the spread 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 or 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: How to reduce the spread with personal protective measures
You need a flu vaccine every year
Every year, different strains of flu circulate during the flu season. In addition:
- flu viruses can change over time
- protection from the flu vaccine wears off over time
The World Health Organization studies worldwide trends and recommends the strains to be included each year in the annual flu vaccine.
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 interval between doses be 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:
- who are at risk of severe illness
- at risk of 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 work.
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 flu strains
Sometimes, the strains circulating in the population change while the vaccine is being produced. When this happens, the flu vaccine may not be as effective. However, if you've had your flu vaccine, you're still better protected than someone who hasn't been vaccinated.
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:
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