Getting the Flu Shot

For some people, complications from the flu can be serious and can lead to things like pneumonia. People who are at higher risk of complications from the flu include infants and young children, adults aged 65 and older, as well as those with chronic medical conditions or who are taking medications that impact their immune system.

The annual flu shot strengthens the body's response against the flu by stimulating the immune system and building antibodies against the virus, making the body stronger and ready to fight off the flu. Getting the flu shot decreases your chances of getting the flu, but also protects those around you, especially those at higher risk, from being exposed to the virus.

With two different viruses circulating this fall, both influenza and COVID-19, there may be symptom confusion. If there is a high flu shot rate in the population, there will be less uncertainty for health care providers when a patient presents with flu-like symptoms. This will also reduce the burden on our region’s COVID-19 testing capacity, so that those with COVID-19 symptoms can be quickly assessed, letting public health start the necessary contact tracing to reduce spread in the community.

While the flu shot does not provide direct protection from COVID-19, it does provide protection against the flu, which is another serious infection for many people. When someone contracts the flu, it could compromise their body’s immune response if they are also exposed to COVID-19.

Each year, our emergency departments are busy with cases of the flu. Fewer cases of the flu means fewer people in the hospital, freeing up our health care system to be prepared to respond to COVID-19. Keeping people out of hospitals and primary care settings also reduces the risk of being exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Who can get the Flu Shot in October

This year, there are priority groups for October: 

• health care providers
• children under 5 years of age
• those 65 years old and older
• pregnant individuals
• residents of long-term care homes 
• people 6 months and older with underlying health conditions (affecting the lungs, heart and/or kidneys; diabetes; cancer; and other conditions which compromise the immune system) 

The remainder of the public are eligible in November.

All flu vaccines available in Ontario are inactivated vaccines that contain the killed version of the virus that causes the flu. Because of this, you can’t get the flu from the vaccine.

Only one dose of a vaccine is needed, with the exception of any child from 6 months to under 9 years of age who is receiving a flu vaccine for the first time.  These children will require a second dose at least 4 weeks after their first for full protection. 

For those aged 6 months to 64 years of age

Most people in Ontario will receive a quadrivalent vaccine, meaning the vaccine protects against two influenza A strains of the virus and two influenza B strains. In Ontario, the quadrivalent vaccines are Fluzone® Quadrivalent, FluLaval Tetra and Influsplit Tetra. These are available for anyone 6 months to 64 years of age.

NOTE: FluMist® Quadrivalent (nasal spray) is NOT publicly funded in Ontario for teh 2021/22 flu season. 

For those aged 65 years of age and older

It is important for older adults to get the flu shot. There are two vaccines that are only available to those 65 years of age and older; Fluzone® High-Dose Quadrivalent (protects against 4 strains) and Fluad® (which protects against 3 strains).

Fluzone® High-Dose is available at pharmacies.

For those with a severe egg allergy

For those with a severe egg allergy, pharmacies will carry Flucelvax® Quad for those 2 years of age and older. In previous flu seasons it was only available for those aged 9 and older, but it was licensed for those 2 and older in March of 2021. 

This vaccine is a quadrivalent that is grown in cultured cells of a mammal instead of hens egg like all other inactivated flu vaccines approved for use in Canada. This vaccine is available at pharmacies, health care providers and TBDHU clinics for the 2021/22 flu season.

The flu vaccine is available to everyone over the age of 6 months. It is recommended that everyone who is able to gets their flu shot. However, there are some groups who are strongly recommended to get a flu shot.

Those who are at a higher risk of complications, including:

• People of any age with a chronic illness; heart disease, lung disease (e.g. asthma), liver disease or diabetes
• People over the age of 65
• People who live in nursing homes or other chronic care homes
• Healthy children who are 5 years of age and younger
• Healthy pregnant women (risk increases with length of pregnancy; higher risk in third vs second trimester)
• Young children and infants under 6 months old who cannot get the flu shot
• Indigenous people*

* The high risk of complications among Indigenous populations is a consequence of many factors, including high rates of chronic health conditions, inadequate access to health care, and increased opportunity for spread in communities experiencing poor housing and overcrowding. These factors are direct outcomes of colonization.

Anyone who cares for someone who is at higher risk for complications:

• Health care workers in hospitals and other care facilities.
• People who live with or take care of someone who is at high risk from complications (see the above list).
• People who live with or take care of a newborn under 6 months as these infants are too young to get the flu shot.
• People who live with someone expecting a newborn during flu season.
• People who give care to children less than 5 years.

Kids need the flu shot too!! Here are 5 reasons why:

1. The flu can make kids really sick with complications like bronchitis or pneumonia.
2. The flu shot gives developing immune systems a boost by teaching the body to fight the flu.
3. No missed work or school; sick kids have to stay home.
4. Protecting your child also protects others at higher risk, especially babies and grandparents.
5. The flu shot is closely monitored in Canada and has an excellent safety record.

Some locations may require an appointment. Please call ahead.

The TBDHU will offer walk-in flu shot clinics for children in the City of Thunder Bay. This year, pharmacies can immunize children 2 years and older, so the TBDHU clinics will now focus on immunizing children under 2 as they have less access to the flu shot.

The TBDHU clinics for this age group will also offer the flu shot to anyone in the child's family who is needing to be immunized. Anyone in the family who is eligible (born in 2009 or earlier) for the COVID-19 vaccine and needs a first or second dose, will also be able to get this vaccine.

An Ontario Health Card is not needed to get a flu shot at TBDHU.

Clinic dates and locations will be listed on the Thunder Bay Flu Shot Clinics page and will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Staff in district communities are working closely with community health care providers to support providing flu shots. As details are available they will be posted on the District Flu Shot Clinics page, so please check back regularly.

Pharmacies in the district will also be providing flu shots to those who are 2 years of age and older.

Please take note of the following COVID-19 precautions at TBDHU’s immunization clinics:

• Please do not visit a clinic if anyone attending the clinic is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or if anyone has been in contact with a positive case of COVID-19. 
• Each individual attending the clinic will be actively screened upon arrival.
• Only those who are being immunized should visit the clinic.
• Apply the hand sanitizer provided when you enter and exit.  
• Masks must be worn. Exceptions will be made for those with a valid medical condition in which a mask or face covering cannot be worn. 
• Please maintain physical distancing of at least 2 metres from staff, except during immunization.
• The clinic will promote a one way flow of traffic whenever possible. 
• Names and phone numbers of individuals will be collected, should contact tracing be required.
• Staff will be required to complete a self-assessment tool daily. 
• All staff will be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during immunization clinics in accordance with best practice recommendations related to PPE use in clinical settings.