As the weather gets cooler, people tend to spend more time indoors and closer together, which can make it easier for flu viruses to spread. The flu can cause fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and extreme tiredness. While many people recover at home, the flu can become serious, especially for older adults, young children, pregnant people, and people with health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease.
The best way to protect yourself is to get a flu vaccine every year. A flu vaccine each fall for almost everyone aged 6 months and older is recommended. Try to get vaccinated before flu season becomes busy because it takes about two weeks for your body to build its best protection. Getting vaccinated later is still helpful if you missed the start of the season.
The flu vaccine is updated every year because flu viruses change over time. Although no vaccine provides complete protection, the flu vaccine lowers your chance of severe illness, hospitalization, and passing the virus to people who may become very sick.
Most people have only mild side effects, such as a sore arm, tiredness, or a low fever that lasts a day or two. The flu shot cannot give you the flu. If you have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous flu vaccine or one of its ingredients, speak with your doctor, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, or another qualified health care professional before getting vaccinated.
In Ontario, the flu vaccine is available at no cost for people aged 6 months and older who live, work, or attend school in the province. You can receive it through participating pharmacies, primary care clinics, and public health clinics.
Getting vaccinated, washing your hands regularly, covering your coughs and sneezes, and staying home when you are sick are simple ways to protect yourself, your family, and your community throughout flu season.
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