How can you prevent getting the flu?
Your best defence is getting vaccinated with a seasonal flu shot.
The benefits of getting a seasonal flu shot:
- protects you if you’re exposed to the flu.
- prevents you from getting very sick.
- helps protect other people because you’re less likely to spread the flu virus to them.
Who should get vaccinated?
Everyone from six months and older.
This is especially important for:
Everyone from six months and older.
This is especially important for:
- people who are at high risk of complications.
- people who may spread the flu to those at higher risk such as youths and the elderly.
Why should you get a flu shot every year?
- the effectiveness of the previous year’s vaccine can wear off, so you need a new one every year to stay protected.
- the type of flu virus usually changes from year to year.
- this season’s flu vaccine will protect you against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the season.
In addition to getting the flu vaccine, protect yourself and those around you from the flu by:
- washing your hands frequently.
- coughing and sneezing into the bend of your arm, not into your hand.
- avoiding touching your nose, mouth or eyes with your hands.
- cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces that a lot of people touch, such as: doorknobs, phones, television remotes.
- eating healthy foods and engaging in physical activity to keep your immune system strong.
- getting plenty of rest or sleep.
- if you do get the flu, stay home and avoid contact with other people until your symptoms are gone. This will help prevent the spread of the virus.
For more information
Find flu clinics and resources from across Canada
Flu (influenza) awareness resources
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