Everyone is at risk of getting the flu, so Toronto Public Health recommends getting the flu shot each fall to protect you and your family, friends and co-workers. Since the virus that causes influenza changes frequently, you need to get a new flu shot each year.
The influenza vaccine is free and available to people six months of age and older who live, work or attend school in Ontario.
Those at high risk for flu-related complications should especially get the vaccine:
• Children 5 years of age and younger
• Adults 65 years of age and older
• Residents of nursing homes or chronic care facilities
• People with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, lung, heart or kidney disease
• Pregnant women
• Aboriginal peoples
• People who are obese
Those who live or work with people who are high risk (i.e. health care workers and essential community services staff) should also get the vaccine.
The flu vaccine is safe. The vaccine cannot give you the flu. Learn more about Influenza and the Influenza Vaccine.
You can get the flu shot at doctors’ offices, walk-in medical clinics, some pharmacies and Toronto Public Health Flu Clinics at the Scarborough Town Centre and Scarborough Civic Centre between October 2012 and January 2013. View schedule here.
