Help fight the flu & stop the spread of germs. Get your flu shot today.
This year's flu shot will protect you against three strains of influenza viruses specified by the World Health Organization: A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus, A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016 (H3N2)-like virus, and B/Colorado/06/2017-like virus (Victoria lineage). Children will also be protected against a fourth strain- B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus (Yamagata lineage).
People 65 years and older and their caregivers/household contacts
Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities
Children and adults with chronic health conditions, including obesity, and their household contacts
Children and adolescents (six months to 18 years) with conditions treated for long periods of time with acetylsalicylic acid, and their household contacts
Healthy children age six months to five years of age
Household contacts and caregivers of infants age zero to 59 months
Aboriginal peoples (on and off reserve)
All pregnant women and their household contacts
Health care and other care providers in facilities and community settings who are capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk of influenza complications
People who provide essential services including first responders and correction officers
People who work with live poultry
People planning to visit loved ones in a health care facility or who will take family members to outpatient appointments
There are several options for children: most vaccines are available as a shot and one is given as a nasal spray called FluMist. FluMist is available in a limited number of doses, and is available at some doctors’ offices and VCH Public Health clinics. Call ahead to your local clinic to check availability. The injectable flu vaccines offer excellent protection. Please do not delay immunizing children.
As people age, they become more susceptible to flu-related complications because the immune system weakens as people age. As a result, seniors are less responsive to the standard flu vaccine.
Fluzone High-Dose contains 4 times the antigen of a standard flu vaccine so it can better protect seniors 65 years and older. In one study it was found to be 24% more effective than the regular flu vaccine.
The vaccine is available at some pharmacies, and at the VCH Travel Clinic for $75.
It is safe for anyone with egg allergies to have Flumist.
Beginning December 3, 2018, all visitors must have had their flu shot or wear a mask. This will help protect your loved ones – the people you are visiting – from getting a potentially serious illness.
Flu shots for visitors are free and can be obtained at your family doctor, VCH flu clinics, walk-in clinics; or pharmacies. People planning to visit loved ones in a health care facility or who will take family members to outpatient appointments are also eligible for a free flu shot.
Masks are available at nursing stations, outpatient reception desks and/or the main entrances of our facilities.