Did you know that influenza (“the flu”) makes 8 million Canadians sick each year? Of those, about 20,000 will need to be hospitalized, with young children and the elderly being at highest risk. What’s worse is that between 2,000 and 8,000 Canadians will die each year of influenza or complications related to influenza. What can you do to prevent yourself from getting sick with the flu? The best and most important way is to get vaccinated! The vaccine is safe and effective. The flu shot is not made with living virus (i.e. it is a “killed” virus vaccine), meaning that it cannot make you sick with the flu. It might make you feel unwell or you may have a fever or sore arm for a couple of days, but this should not be mistaken for the flu. People who get a cold after receiving a flu shot do not have the flu. The shot is safe, with a very low risk of serious side effects.
It is common for doctors to recommend the flu shot for people who have heart, lung, or other chronic diseases, but did you know that it is also highly recommended for pregnant women, healthy adults and children (over 6 months of age)?
Getting vaccinated protects not only you, but those around you; if you don’t get sick with the flu, you can’t give it to other people. In Ontario, we are fortunate that everyone can get a flu shot at no cost. Alternatively, if you don’t like needles, there is a vaccine that is available as a nasal spray, however this is not free and there are more restrictions about who can receive it.
If you or anyone you know has had the flu, you know how sick you can be with it. Why not avoid it altogether and get a flu shot? If you have questions, talk to your doctor.
To get a shot, ask your doctor or your employer (some workplaces offer shots for their staff), or call your local Health Unit to find out where you can get it. In Ottawa, public flu vaccine clinics are listed on the City of Ottawa website, or you can call 613-580-6744 for more information.
Dr. Kathryn Suh, MD, FRCPC
Associate Director, Infection Prevention and Control
Division of Infectious Diseases
The Ottawa Hospital
Support patient care and research at
The Ottawa Hospital
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