Seasonal Flu Vaccination
More details about the vaccination campaign against respiratory infections.
On this page :
- Who can get the flu vaccine
- Benefits of vaccination
- Vaccine co-administration
- Making a vaccination appointment
- Vaccination at the pharmacy
- Helpful links and informations
Who can get the flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is offered free of charge to anyone aged 6 months and older who requests it.
The vaccine is highly recommended to people who are at higher risk for complications, that is:
- People aged 75 years and older
- People aged 6 months and older who have certain chronic diseases
- People of any age living in residential and long-term care centres (CHSLDs) and in intermediate resources.
- Pregnant women:
- regardless of their trimester, who have certain chronic diseases
- who have been pregnant for 13 weeks and longer.
The vaccine is also recommended to anyone likely to transmit the flu to those who are more vulnerable to complications from the flu, namely:
- Family members living in the same household as a child under 6 months of age
- Family members living in the same household as someone aged 75 years and older, people who have certain chronic diseases or pregnant women
- Informal caregivers for residents in CHSLDs or intermediate resources, people aged 75 years and older, people with certain chronic diseases and pregnant women
- Healthcare workers
More details about flu vaccination for children.
Benefits of vaccination
Flu vaccination aims to reduce the risk of flu complications, hospitalizations and mortality in people who are most at risk. The aim is not to prevent all cases of flu.
Vaccination enables the body to make antibodies to fight the flu. However, studies have shown that the number of antibodies may decrease in the year after vaccination, which particularly affects older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
In addition, viruses that cause the flu are constantly evolving. The composition of flu vaccines is reviewed annually in order to include the virus strains most likely to be circulating during the flu season.
It is highly recommended that people most at risk of developing complications and people in direct contact with them get vaccinated each year.
Vaccine co-administration
You can get the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time, as needed. There is no interval to follow between these vaccines.
The flu and COVID-19 vaccines given at the same time offer the same protection against these infections as if they were given a few days or weeks apart. No specific issue has been reported following administration of these vaccines at the same vaccine appointment.
Similarly, at your vaccination appointment, the pneumococcal vaccine may also be offered to you.
Making a vaccination appointment
- Online : Clic Santé
- By phone : You can also make an appointment by calling 1‑877‑644‑4545 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
Vaccination at the pharmacy
Some pharmacies offer the vaccine free of charge. In many cases, it is possible to book an appointment with Clic Santé. Ask your pharmacist for more information.
