When there is a good match between the influenza strains in the vaccine and the influenza strains circulating in the community, the vaccine can prevent influenza illness in about 70% to 90% of healthy children and adults.
Each year there is a new vaccine to protect against new strains of the influenza virus — that's why you need a flu shot every year. The best time to get your influenza vaccine is early, between October and December, before the number of influenza cases increases in Canada. Full protection against influenza takes about two weeks from the time you get the shot and lasts 6 months.
1. You are at high risk of influenza-related complications.
This applies to:
2. You could potentially transmit influenza to those in high risk groups because you live or work with them (e.g. household contacts, daycare workers), or because you provide essential community services and you are more likely to be in contact with those in the high risk groups.
Visit your Province’s or Territory’s page for additional information on flu immunization in your area.