Flu Shot
Make the most of your health and wellness.
What is a Flu Shot?
A flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and your family against the flu and prevent its spread. Flu season generally occurs during the fall, winter and early spring.
Everyone is at risk of getting the flu. The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends the flu shot for everyone over the age of 6 months, including those who are healthy, but people at high risk of complications from the flu are young children, adults aged 65 and over, pregnant women and those with a chronic health condition. You can refer here for more information.
It's important to note that flu viruses change each year, and experts create a new vaccine to protect you each flu season:
the viruses in the flu shot are either killed or weakened and cannot give you the flu
most people don’t have reactions to the flu shot; those who do may have soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site
severe reactions to the vaccine are extremely rare
Who is eligible for a flu shot at London Drugs?
The flu shot can be administered at all London Drugs locations:
in B.C. for ages 4 years and up
Flumist nasal spray (live attenuated flu vaccine) may be available in limited quantities for children ages 2 to 17 years or adults up to 59 years with a needle phobia.
in Alberta and Saskatchewan, for ages 5 years and up.
in Manitoba, for ages 7 years and up.
The flu vaccine is usually given as 1 dose per flu season starting each October. Children under 9 years of age who have never had a seasonal influenza vaccine need 2 doses. The second dose of vaccine is important to raise their level of protection and should be given 4 weeks after the first dose.
How the flu spreads
The flu spreads very easily from person to person. Even before you notice symptoms, you may spread the virus to others. If you have the virus, you can spread it by talking, sneezing, or coughing. These actions contain tiny droplets that release the flu virus into the air. You can become infected if these droplets land on your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Some people are more likely to spread the flu to those at high risk of complications. They include:
caregivers
child care providers
healthcare providers
family and other household members
those who provide services in closed or relatively closed settings to people at high risk
