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Influenza (flu)

Related topics: Conditions and diseases

Influenza, often called the "flu," is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by an influenza virus.

Influenza and COVID-19 immunization

You will be notified through the Get Vaccinated system when you are eligible to book your next appointment. Notifications with a booking link for influenza and COVID-19 started going out on Oct. 7, 2025, and into November to everyone six months an older who is registered in the Get Vaccinated system. 

To register for the Get Vaccinated system, for more information or for help, visit Immunizations on Healthlink BC.

What is influenza?

Influenza often called the "flu," is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs. Many people use the word "flu" for any illness caused by a virus, such as "stomach flu" or the common cold, which are different than influenza.

The flu is not always a harmless illness. It can cause serious health risks, including death. A person with influenza is also at risk of other infections. These include viral or bacterial pneumonia, an infection of the lungs.

Symptoms

Influenza symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle pain, runny nose, sore throat, extreme tiredness, and cough. 

Children may also experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Symptoms can begin about one to four days after a person is first exposed to the influenza virus. Fever and other symptoms may last up to seven to ten days, with the cough and weakness lasting up to two more weeks.

Who is at greatest risk? 

The risk of complications is more significant for pregnant women, seniors 65 years and older, young children, and people with lung or heart diseases, specific chronic health problems, or weakened immune systems.

How to prevent the flu

Everyone 6 months and older needs a flu vaccine. All B.C. residents six months and older can get a free flu vaccine. 

It's especially important to get a flu vaccine if you're:

  • Under five years or over 65 years
  • Pregnant
  • Living in long-term care or assisted living
  • Immunocompromised or have a chronic illness

How to prevent the spread?

  • Wash your hands. Frequent hand washing can reduce the risk of all respiratory infections.
  • Cover your cough. You can also reduce the spread of germs by practicing safe coughing and sneezing techniques.
  • Stay at home. Anybody who thinks they have an influenza-like illness (i.e. fever and cough) should remain at home and limit exposure to others.

Flu vaccination eligibility

Recommended and provided free to people 6 months of age and older. 

Flu vaccination is particularly recommended for the following groups: 

  • People at high risk:

    • People aged 65 years and older
    • People of any age who are residents of long-term care facilities
    • Adults (including pregnant people) and children with the following chronic health conditions:
      • Cardiac or pulmonary disorders (e.g., bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis, asthma)
      • Diabetes and other metabolic diseases
      • Cancer; immunodeficiency (including human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection); immunosuppression due to underlying disease or therapy (e.g., severe rheumatoid arthritis requiring immunosuppressive therapies)
      • Chronic kidney disease
      • Chronic liver disease, including hepatitis C
      • Anemia and hemoglobinopathy
      • Conditions that compromise the management of respiratory secretions and are associated with an increased risk of aspiration (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injury, seizure disorder, and neuromuscular disorders)
    • Children and adolescents (6 months to 18 years of age) with conditions treated for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid
    • Children and adults who are morbidly obese (adult BMI ≥ 40; child BMI assessed as ≥ 95th percentile adjusted for age and sex)
    • Indigenous peoples
    • Healthy children 6 to 59 months of age
    • Pregnant people at any stage of pregnancy during the influenza season (typically spanning Nov-Apr)
    • Inmates of provincial correctional institutions
    • People who interact closely with influenza-susceptible animals, including poultry, dairy and swine industry workers (Immunization may reduce the potential for human-avian re-assortment of genes should such workers become co-infected with human and avian influenza.)

  • People capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk:

    • All health care workers (including all health authority staff, accredited physicians and residents, volunteers, students, contractors, and vendors) who come into contact with patients at health care facilities including longterm care facilities. This includes independent health care practitioners and their staff in community settings.
    • Visitors to health care facilities and other patient care locations
    • Household contacts (including children) of people at high risk whether or not those high risk people have been immunized
    • Those who provide care and/or service in potential outbreak settings housing high risk persons (e.g., crew on ships)
    • Household contacts of healthy children 0 to 59 months of age
    • Those providing regular child care to children 0 to 59 months of age, whether in or out of the home

  • People who provide essential community services:

    • First responders: police, fire fighters, paramedics
    • Corrections workers

Get a flu vaccine

You can book your flu vaccine through the Get Vaccinated system. If you've received a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in BC no action is required. We'll send you an email or SMS text when it's time to get your vaccine.

https://www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca/s/

Frequently asked questions

  • Do I need to get the flu shot every year?

    Yes. Many studies have shown that people who receive the flu shot are better protected against seasonal influenza than those who are not vaccinated.

  • Can I get the flu from the vaccine?

    No. Most vaccines do not even contain the live virus. In rare cases, it can cause respiratory symptoms but it’s still better than getting the illness.

  • If I have an egg allergy, is it safe to get the flu shot?

    Yes. Vaccines contain minute quantities of ovalbumin that will not cause an allergic reaction.