Immunodeficiency Canada endorses Health Canada recommendation to get a flu shot
Getting the flu shot is your best defense against the flu. It is a safe and effective way to protect you and those around you, and helps to avoid doctor’s visits and unnecessary testing for COVID-19 during the ongoing pandemic.
It’s important to note that the flu shot will not protect you from COVID-19 – you should still wear a mask, wash your hands frequently and maintain physical distancing from others.
Protect yourself. Protect your loved ones. Get your flu shot!
The flu shot is recommended for everyone 6 months and older, especially:
People at high risk of complications from the flu
- people with health conditions, such as:
- cancer and other immune compromising conditions
- diabetes
- heart disease
- lung disease
- anemia
- obesity
- kidney disease
- neurologic or neurodevelopment conditions
- children up to 18 years of age undergoing treatment for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
- people 65 years and older
- people who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities
- children under 5 years of age
- pregnant women or those planning to get pregnant
- Indigenous peoples
People who can pass on the flu virus to those at high risk
- caregivers
- child care providers
- healthcare providers
- family and other household members
- those who provide services in closed or relatively closed settings to people at high risk, such as crew on a ship
Get a flu shot every year
It’s important that you get a new flu shot every year because:
- the type of flu virus usually changes from year to year
- a new vaccine is created every year to protect you each flu season
- effectiveness of the flu shot can wear off, so you need a new one every year to stay protected
The flu shot is effective
The effectiveness of the vaccine varies from season to season. It depends on how well the vaccine matches with the circulating flu viruses, as well as the health and age of the person getting the flu shot.
The viruses circulating in the population can sometimes change during the time it takes to produce a vaccine. When this happens during the flu season, the flu shot may not work as well as expected.
It is also important to remember that the flu shot protects against several different flu viruses each season. Even when there is a less-than-ideal match or lower effectiveness against one virus, the seasonal flu shot can still provide protection against the remaining two or three viruses. If you do get the flu, the flu shot may reduce the severity of your symptoms.
Getting your flu shot is still the most effective way to protect yourself against the flu and flu-related complications.
The flu shot is safe
- severe reactions are very rare
- you can’t get the flu from the flu shot
- most people have no side effects from the flu shot
2020-2021 flu vaccine
This season’s flu shot will protect you against:
- Influenza A(H1N1)
- Influenza A(H3N2)
- Influenza B