Influenza website
About the Vaccine
Who should get the flu shot?
Everyone over the age of 6 months should get the flu shot.
Individuals who are in high risk categories are strongly encouraged to get their flu shots, they include
- Adults (including pregnant women) and children with the following chronic health condition
- cardiac or pulmonary disorders (including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis and asthma);
- diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases;
- cancer, immune compromising conditions (due to underlying disease and/or therapy);
- renal disease;
- anemia or hemoglobinopathy;
- conditions that compromise the management of respiratory secretions and are associated with an increased risk of aspiration;
- morbid obesity (BMI>=40); and
- children and adolescents with conditions treated for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid.
- People of any age who are residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities.
- People >= 65 years of age.
- Healthy children 6 to 59 months of age.
- Healthy pregnanct women (the risk of influenza-related hospitalization increases with length of gestation, i.e. it is higher in the third than in the second trimester).
- Aboriginal peoples.
- Health care and other care providers in facilities and community settings who, through their activities, are capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk of influenza complications.
- Household contacts (adults and children) of individuals at high risk of influenza complications (whether or not the individual at high risk has been immunized):
- household contacts of individuals at high risk, as listed in the section above;
- household contacts of infants <6 months of age as these infants are at high risk of complications from influenza but cannot receive influenza vaccine; and
- members of a household expecting a newborn during the influenza season.
- Those providing regular child care to children <24 months of age, whether in or out of the home.
- Those who provide services within closed or relatively closed settings to persons at high risk (e.g. crew on a ship).
Others
- People who provide essential community services.
- People in direct contact during culling operations with poultry infected with avian influenza.
- Persons at high risk of influenza complications embarking on travel to destinations where influenza is likely to be circulating.
Why get the flu shot?
Influenza is a serious illness that can lead to complications such as pneumonia. The flu shot is safe and it’s the most effective way to protect you and your family from the flu. Studies have found that the flu shot can prevent up to 90% of influenza in healthy adults and children.
What is the flu shot?
How does it work?
The flu shot strengthens your immune system against three flu viruses circulating in the community. It does this by stimulating your immune system to build up antibodies against the viruses, making it stronger so that it’s ready to fight off the illness before it starts.
Why should I get it early in the season?
Getting your flu shot early in the season lets your immune system build up antibodies sooner, so it’s ready when flu season starts. It can take up to 2 weeks for antibodies to build up after you get the shot.
Will the flu shot give me the flu?
You cannot get the flu from the vaccine. There may be mild symptoms of influenza, but the viral component of the vaccine is dead so it cannot multiply.
Generally it takes 2 weeks after receiving the flu vaccine for the body to develop immunity to the influenza virus.
People who become ill after receiving their shot may have caught a cold or another virus. It is also possible to catch another strain of influenza not included in the vaccine.
