Flu Shot (Influenza Vaccination)
Get your flu shot in October if you are:
- 65 and older.
- At high risk for complications from the flu.
The following are individuals at greatest risk of flu illness complications:
- Adults aged 65 years or older
- Children aged younger than 6 years
- Pregnant women
- Individuals with chronic health conditions
- Those living in nursing homes and chronic care facilities
Get your flu shot in late October/early November if you are:
- Not at high risk. This way the vaccine will be effective for a longer time during the flu season.
* Nasal spray (Flumist) is not available in Canada for the 2019-2020 flu season.
Bathurst Patients:
Call 416-603-5888 to make an appointment. Plan to stay for 10-15 minutes afterwards in case of any reaction. If you have received your flu shot outside of our clinic, please tell us so we can update your records.
Flu clinic hours: 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Flu clinic dates: Please check back in mid-October
You can also receive your flu shot during your regular appointments - tell reception you want a flu shot when you check-in.
Garrison Creek Patients
Call 416-603-5888 to make an appointment. Plan to stay for 10-15 minutes afterwards in case of any reaction. If you have received your flu shot outside of our clinic, please tell us so we can update your records.
Flu clinic hours: 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Flu clinic dates: Please check back in mid-October
You can also receive your flu shot during your regular appointments - tell reception you want a flu shot when you check-in.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can get the flu shot?
Everyone can benefit from getting the flu shot. All individuals 6 months and older can get the flu shot.
The following are individuals at greatest risk of flu illness complications:
- Adults aged 65 years or older
- Children aged younger than 6 years
- Pregnant women
- Individuals with chronic health conditions
- Those living in nursing homes and chronic care facilities
We highly recommend health care providers and individuals working or living with persons with chronic health conditions get the flu shot.
2. Who should not get the flu shot?
- If you have had a severe allergic reaction with a previous flu shot
- Children under 6 months of age
- If you previously developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome within 6 weeks of receiving the flu shot
- If you currently have a fever.
3. What kind of flu shot will I get?
- Adults aged 65+ will receive a High-Dose flu vaccine. It is the preferred vaccine for seniors. It provides better protection against influenza A than the standard vaccine.
- Children 9 and older and adults 18-64 will get one shot of the flu vaccine.
- Children 6 months to less than 9 years who are getting their very first flu shot will get two shots - One shot first, and another shot at least 4 weeks later.
4. Will the flu shot make me sick?
The answer is NO.
- The flu shot does not contain the live virus.
- Some people might get mild flu like symptoms such as a mild fever, fatigue and muscle aches because of your body’s response to the vaccine.
- Soreness, redness and swelling at the site of the flu shot are more common side effects.
- Please stay in the clinic for at least 15 minutes after receiving the flu shot.
- Let your health care provider know if you are experiencing reactions such as faintness, difficulty breathing or tightness in your chest.
5. I received the flu shot last year. Do I need to get another one?
- The flu shot does not provide long term protection from the flu virus.
- The circulating flu viruses may change from year to year.
- Experts work hard every year to create a vaccine that will protect you during the current flu season.
- There is a possibility that new flu virus strains may develop after the flu vaccine is created. You may not be fully protected against these new strains, but you may still have some protection.
6. When should I get the flu shot?
Flu season is usually during the months of December to May.
7. What else can I do to protect myself from getting the flu or spreading it to others?
- Wash your hands often. This is the best way to stop from getting the flu and other germs.
- Cough and sneeze into a tissue or into your sleeve, NOT into your hands.
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