Influenza vaccine (flu shot)

The influenza vaccine (flu shot) protects against a virus that causes the flu.

Vaccines can provide protection against a single disease, or can be made to provide protection against more than one disease. Vaccines that provide protection against more than one disease are called combined vaccines. Influenza vaccine is only available as a single vaccine format.

In general, everyone aged six months or older should get the flu shot every year. Children, adolescents and adults all need to receive the influenza vaccine at regular intervals to have ongoing protection. The recommended time to get the vaccine is October to mid-November.

People who should get the vaccine as soon as possible and are at higher risk, every year are:

• seniors 65 years and older
• people with a weak immune system (the body has a harder time fighting infections)
• people with long-term health conditions
• pregnant women and families that are expecting a baby during the flu season
• children between six months to under five years of age
• people who live in long-term care homes
• health care providers
• people living or working with children under the age of five

To find out more about when individuals need the influenza vaccine, see the Ontario Immunization Schedule (Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care).

• People who have had serious allergic reaction to any ingredient in the vaccine or to a previous dose of the vaccine itself should not receive the influenza vaccine.

Your health care provider will ask you questions about your health before giving you any vaccine. This will help them identify allergies you might have and safely manage potential allergic reactions.

You could have mild side effects after being vaccinated, but they usually go away in one to two days. Some people can be allergic to the vaccine, just like they might have a food or medication allergy.

Learn more about common vaccine side effects and what to do about them.

No. Children don’t have to be immunized against this disease to attend school or a licensed day care in Ontario (Immunization of School Pupils Act, Child Care and Early Years Act). However, this vaccine may be required in certain workplaces.

Reporting vaccinations

Access and update your immunization records.

Cost

This vaccine is publicly funded, meaning it is free of charge for those who need it. No matter where you get the vaccine in Ontario, there is no cost (in a hospital, walk-in clinic, health care provider’s office or public health unit).

For a list of publicly funded vaccines in Ontario, see the Ontario Immunization Schedule.

Risks and benefits

Talk to your health care provider of getting vaccinated if you have special health conditions or concerns. Learn more about special considerations before being vaccinated.

• Public Health offers this vaccine at one of our immunization clinics.
• You may also be able to get vaccinated at your doctor’s office, a walk-in clinic or community health centre. Appointments may be required.

It is recommended that the influenza (flu) vaccine be given annually. This is because flu viruses change often and our body’s immunity decreases between flu seasons.

No, the influenza vaccine will not protect against coronaviruses, like COVID-19. However, the flu vaccine is an important part of protecting yourself from influenza and will help keep you healthy. By keeping people healthy, the vaccine also helps reduce the burden on the health care system and ensures health care resources remain available. This is especially important this year as we enter flu season during the pandemic. Practising COVID-safe behaviors, like distancing, wearing a face covering, and washing your hands, remains the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Learn more about COVID safety.

Getting your flu shot helps protect you, and those around you from getting sick with the flu. Having fewer sick people in our community helps reduce the burden on the health care system and ensures health care resources remain available and accessible. This is especially important this year during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It may seem like there is a shortage due to the increased demand for the flu shot during the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary staggering of vaccine deliveries to community health care providers. Every year, the flu shot is provided by the province to community locations through several deliveries beginning in late September to early October. Initial shipments are given to those serving the most vulnerable, including hospitals and long-term care homes. The flu vaccine is not delivered in a single batch to pharmacies, walk-in clinics, health care providers, or public health agencies.

As the province continues to receive supply, local shipments of the flu shot will continue over this flu season. Additional doses can be ordered if needed. As in previous years, access to the flu shot will vary while providers wait for shipments. We understand that this can be frustrating, and we ask for your continued patience on this matter.

It is recommended that you get your flu shot as soon as it becomes available in your community. Typically, flu season occurs from November to April. The best time to receive the flu shot is between October and mid-November, before flu season starts. However, it continues to be available throughout the flu season.

The influenza vaccine is available at many locations throughout the community.

The flu shot is designed to offer protection for the duration of the flu season. Flu viruses change over time and our body’s immunity decreases between flu seasons. For these reasons, it is recommended that we get the influenza (flu) vaccine every year. Protective antibody levels are generally achieved within 2 to 3 weeks after vaccination.

The influenza vaccine is available at many locations throughout the community.

No, the FluMist® nasal spray flu vaccine is not available this flu season.

• Contact us.
• See our frequently asked questions or send us your question.
• See our list of helpful websites for information about vaccination.