Flu shot: How does it work?

• It is recommended to get the flu shot every year.  

• This is because the virus changes each year.  

• The flu vaccines are modified each year so that they protect against the virus strains that are going around during that specific flu season. 

• Even if you are young and healthy, it is important to get vaccinated against the flu so you can help protect others around you who may be considered vulnerable.  

• Healthcare workers and people who in contact with vulnerable people, like family members, should get vaccinated to help protect them. 

• We recommend that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated for the flu.  

• The flu shot is free for all residents of northern and isolated communities. 

• Anyone can get the flu, and it can be serious. 

People at higher risk include: 

• Elders (75 years and up) 

• People who are immunocompromised (ex: cancer, HIV, or on a treatment that weakens their immune system such as corticosteroids of treatments for auto-immune disease) 

• People with a chronic disease (such as diabetes, heart condition, lung condition, kidney disease, liver disease, hypertension, cancer or asthma) 

• Children under 6 months old because they cannot be vaccinated themselves, instead, family members should be vaccinated to protect them

• Pregnant women in their 2nd and 3rd trimester (and pregnant women who have a chronic disease are at higher risk as of their 1st trimester) 

Vaccination is strongly recommended to close contacts of the at-risk groups of people mentioned above (health care workers and people living with people who are at higher-risk) .

• The only people that should not get the vaccine are anyone who had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a flu vaccine (or to another product with a similar component) in the past. 

• Anaphylaxis to eggs are no longer a contraindication. 

• Even if you are young and healthy, it is important to get vaccinated against the flu so you can help protect others around you who may be considered vulnerable.  

• Healthcare workers and people who in contact with vulnerable people, like family members, should get vaccinated to help protect them. 

• Vaccines help the body’s immune system learn a specific virus so that it can build its defenses by creating antibodies. 

• Children 6 months to 8 years old who get vaccinated for the first time against the flu will need a total of 2 doses, given 4 weeks apart.
   

• Children 6 months to 8 years old who got vaccinated against the flu in past flu seasons will only require one dose for this fall.
   

• Anyone 9 years old and over will need one dose for this fall.

• Antibodies act as a protection in case you are exposed to the virus. It creates an “immunity memory” so the body understands and remembers how to protect itself against the virus. 

• Antibodies are ready to fight the flu in about 2 weeks after vaccination. 

• This means the vaccinated person will be less sick, or not even sick at all, if they are exposed to the virus.   

• However, studies have shown that the number of antibodies may decrease in the year after vaccination. This decrease particularly affects older adults and people with a weakened immune system.  

• Also, because the influenza virus changes just enough from year to year to evade (or “trick”) our immune system’s memory, the flu vaccines are redesigned every year to be better adapted to the viruses that are circulating. 

A yearly flu shot is your best protection against flu and its complications. 

• There are many different viruses that cause the flu. 

• The flu shot is made to protect against the viruses that will be most common in a season. 

• The flu shot’s effectiveness to prevent infection from the influenza virus is about 30-60%. However, its most important feature is that it significantly reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalization.  

• It takes about 2 weeks for the shot to give you the best protection. 

• The protection provided by flu vaccination can vary widely, and depends on things like age and the health of the person getting the shot. 

Yes, the flu vaccine is safe. 

• It is not possible to get the flu or other illnesses from the flu shot. 

• These are many programs in Canada that ensure the quality of vaccines offered. 

Most people do not have any reaction to the flu shot though some minor soreness, redness or swelling of the skin at the injection site is possible.  

The most common side effects for the injectable vaccine are: 

• pain and swelling at the injection site 

• muscle soreness, joint pain, headache, fatigue 

• loss of appetite, drowsiness, irritability 

You may apply a cold, damp compress at the injection site. And use a medication for fever and discomfort if needed (per example Advil or Tylenol). 

Severe reactions to the vaccine are extremely rare. 

Yes. The injectable flu vaccine is considered safe at any stage of pregnancy. 

It is a good idea for pregnant women to be vaccinated because: 

• Women in the second half (over 20 weeks) of pregnancy are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and at higher risk of hospitalization from these complications.  

• As well, women at any stage of pregnancy who have chronic medical conditions are also at higher risk of serious influenza complications and should be immunized. 

• Pregnant women who get a flu shot are also helping to protect their babies from flu illness for the first several months after their birth, when they are too young to get vaccinated. 

• The flu shot cannot give you the flu.  

• Since the vaccine is given in late fall and through winter, sometimes people happen to get a cold right around the same time they get their shot, and they make the mistake of thinking it is because of the shot when it is just a coincidence. 

Even though getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself against the flu, it is still possible to get the flu. This is because:  

• You may be exposed to a flu virus shortly before getting vaccinated or during the period that it takes the body to gain protection after being vaccinated (about 2 weeks). 

• You may be exposed to a flu virus that is not included in the seasonal flu vaccine. There are many different flu viruses that circulate, but flu shots only contain the main types that researchers believe will be most common that season. 

• The flu shot’s effectiveness to prevent infection from the influenza virus is about 30-60%. However, its most important feature is that it significantly reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalization. 

If you are vaccinated and get the flu, it will be less severe than if you were not vaccinated: 

• It is less effective in elderly adults, but studies have shown that the influenza vaccine decreases the incidence of pneumonia, hospital admissions, and death, even in the elderly population.  

• Flu vaccination is not a perfect tool, but it is the best way to protect against flu complications. 

• Flu shots will be available at your local CMC starting in the fall. 

• Vaccines will be available through the winter. 

• Check your local FB page, listen to your local radio or call your local clinic to find out when is the next COVID-19 vaccination clinic. 

• If you already have an appointment at the clinic for any other reason, make sure to ask your healthcare provider if you can receive the vaccine at the same time. 

• The CMC staff will respect all COVID-19 measures to safely give the flu shot.   

• Make sure you feel physically well - do not go to the vaccination clinic if you are sick with any possible COVID-19 or flu symptoms or are isolating. 

• When you come, wear a short sleeve shirt so it is easy to give the vaccine in your arm.  

• Wear a mask or face covering when you come.  

• Bring your health card if possible (even if expired). 

• Remind your friends and family members of the importance of getting their flu shot to protect themselves and protect the community.