The influenza virus or “flu” is a respiratory virus that circulates in the fall and winter months. The flu can spread from person-to-person through coughing, sneezing and having face-to-face contact. The flu can cause mild-severe respiratory illness. The best way to prevent infection is through getting the seasonal influenza vaccine in combination with following current public health guidelines around wearing masks, gloves and practicing regular hand hygiene.
The COVID-19 vaccines do not provide protection against seasonal influenza.
This year’s flu season is taking place at the same time as COVID-19 – so it is important to get your flu shot and get it early.
The flu shot is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. The flu shot is:
- Safe and effective – including for kids and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Free of charge.
- Available starting in early November and can be received by visiting your doctor, local public health unit, or pharmacy.
- Different each year because the influenza virus changes frequently – this is why it is important to get the flu shot every fall.
- Proven to reduce the number of doctor visits, hospitalizations and deaths related to the flu.
Some of the symptoms of the flu are similar to those of COVID-19, so it may be hard to tell the difference based on symptoms alone. If you have symptoms, you should stay at home until you are feeling better. If you suspect you may have COVID-19, you should be tested for the virus.