Do I really need to get an annual flu shot?

Every year the question comes up as winter sets in: Do I really need to get my flu shot?

The short answer:
Yes. You really do.

The long answer:
Getting your flu shot is the best way to help prevent getting or spreading the flu. Coming down with the flu can make you feel awful and cause you to miss work, school, and other activities. Even more serious: it sends a lot of people to the hospital, and on average, thousands of people die from it each year. In fact, the flu is among the 10 leading causes of death in Canada.

The flu is most dangerous for people with chronic health conditions like heart and lung disease, diabetes, cancer or kidney disease, as well as for adults 65 years of age and over, people who are pregnant, and children under five years old.

If you’re at increased risk, make sure you get your annual influenza vaccine.

Even if you’re not high risk, remember that people you regularly encounter may be. Getting your flu shot can help protect them from getting seriously ill or needing hospital care. When you’re vaccinated, you may be less likely to spread the flu virus to them.

With hospitals overwhelmed across the country, anything you can do to reduce the number of people getting sick can help the medical system.

Fortunately, the flu shot is approved for everyone over six months of age.

Find more information on how and where to book your vaccination at canada.ca/flu.