Get Flu Protection
Influenza or "flu" is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by a virus. It can cause serious illness and even death. Your best defence is to get your flu shot every year.
Influenza or "flu" is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by a virus. It can cause serious illness and even death. Your best defence is to get your flu shot every year.
Protect your patients from influenza. The flu can be deadly, but the vaccine is safe.
Respiratory follow-up guide for non health care settings
10 Jun, 2022
Flu clinics offered in Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
20 Oct, 2021
Information from HealthLink BC
25 Sep, 2021
Information from HealthLink BC
25 Sep, 2021
Information from HealthLink BC
25 Sep, 2021
Information from HealthLink BC
20 Sep, 2019
Pandemic flu occurs only 2 or 3 times a century, but we have never been as well prepared.
01 Jan, 2015
The pandemic is over but the H1N1 virus will continue to circulate for years to come.
31 Oct, 2009
As people age, they become more susceptible to flu-related complications because the immune system weakens as people age. As a result, seniors are less responsive to the standard flu vaccine.
Fluzone High-Dose contains 4 times the antigen of a standard flu vaccine so it can better protect seniors 65 years and older. In one study it was found to be 24% more effective than the regular flu vaccine.
The vaccine is available at some pharmacies, and at the VCH Travel Clinic for $75.
Many people can get their annual flu shot for free. To find out if you are eligible, talk to your health care provider or call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1. Some employers also provide free vaccine to employees.
People at high risk of serious illness from influenza, such as:
People able to transmit or spread influenza to those at high risk of serious illness from influenza including:
Other groups who are also eligible to receive the flu shot for free include:
See the complete list of people eligible for the free inactivated influenza vaccine.
Yes. Many studies have shown that people who receive the flu shot are better protected against seasonal influenza than those who are not vaccinated.
No. Most vaccines do not even contain the live virus. In rare cases, it can cause respiratory symptoms but it’s still better than getting the illness.
Yes. Vaccines contain minute quantities of ovalbumin that will not cause an allergic reaction.
Fluzone® and Flulaval Tetra® are available for children in BC (2019-2020 flu season).
The FluMist® vaccine, delivered through a spray into the nose, is not available for use in Canada for the 2019-2020 influenza season. Therefore, no live attenuated influenza vaccine given by nasal spray is available and all influenza vaccines will be given by injection.
Flu is the #1 cause of death from a vaccine-preventable illness.
Prevention tips and more, designed for caregivers.
Hand washing is the best way to stop the spread of infections.
We monitor communicable diseases, investigate outbreaks, and distribute vaccines across the region.