Alberta Health Services
Health Information
influenza
Everyone is at risk of influenza. You should get the influenza vaccine if you are age 6 months or older.
Influenza can make you very sick and lead to other health problems, especially if:
It is important to get the influenza vaccine each year, especially if:
The vaccine is free if you live, work, go to school, or are visiting in Alberta.
You may not be able to get this vaccine if:
If you have allergies or have had a side effect to this vaccine, check with your doctor or a public health nurse before you get the vaccine.
Although you can get the vaccine if you have a mild illness, such as a cold or fever, you should stay home until you are feeling better to prevent spreading your illness to others.
If you are under age 9 years and are getting the influenza vaccine for the first time, you need 2 doses, at least 4 weeks apart.
Everyone else needs only 1 dose of the influenza vaccine each influenza season. The season starts in late fall and lasts through the winter.
If you have had a stem cell transplant or are getting CAR T-cell therapy (a type of cancer treatment), talk to your healthcare provider to see how many doses you need, and when you can get them.
There are many types of influenza vaccines. Every year, Alberta Health looks at information about influenza to help them decide which vaccines to offer for free.
There are 2 strengths of inactivated (killed) influenza vaccine: standard-dose and high-dose. Both vaccines protect against 4 types of influenza virus.
The standard-dose influenza vaccine is for most healthy people age 6 months to 64 years.
The high-dose influenza vaccine has more of the inactivated influenza virus than the standard dose. It gives more protection against influenza for people with a higher risk of getting very sick:
Using the high-dose influenza vaccine in people under age 65 years is called "off-label use." Off-label use means the vaccine is used differently than the way it was originally approved. Vaccine experts support this off-label use and have no safety concerns.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding/chestfeeding, and you have had CAR T-cell therapy, a stem cell transplant, or have had or will have an organ transplant, talk to your healthcare provider about which vaccine is recommended for you.
Talk to your healthcare provider to know which vaccine you need.
The nasal spray influenza vaccine may be available to buy from a pharmacist. If you want the nasal spray, ask your pharmacist if it is right for you, and talk to them about side effects, effectiveness, doses, and any other questions you have.
The nasal spray is not offered for free. You can check with your health insurance provider to see if they cover the cost.
Children under age 5 years and their families can get the influenza vaccine for free at Alberta Health Services influenza immunization clinics. Clinics are open from late October to the end of March.
You can also get the influenza vaccine from many family doctors and pharmacists.
Call your doctor or pharmacist to find out if they offer the vaccine.
If you want a type of influenza vaccine that is not free (for example, the nasal spray influenza vaccine), you may be able to buy it at a pharmacy. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is right for you. You can also check with your health insurance provider to see if they cover the cost.
HEALTH PROFESIONALS Visit Influenza Immunization Information for Health Professionals for resources to implement a safe and effective influenza immunization program.
You can get the influenza vaccine at the same time, any time before, or any time after most vaccines. However, certain vaccines have a waiting period. If you had another vaccine in the last 2 weeks, check with your healthcare provider about when you can get the influenza vaccine.
How well the vaccine works is different each influenza season.
A new vaccine is made every year to protect against the 3 or 4 influenza viruses that are most likely to make you sick. Even when the vaccine does not exactly match the viruses that spread where you live, it can still help protect you from getting influenza or getting very sick from it.
The influenza vaccine is the best way to lower your risk of getting influenza and having related health problems. It can also help stop you from spreading it to others.
The influenza vaccine will start to protect you about 2 weeks after you get it.
Vaccine safety is a top priority. Canada uses extremely safe vaccines. Learn more about vaccine safety in Canada, including how vaccines are monitored for continued safety, and ingredients in vaccines.
There can be side effects from the influenza vaccine, but they tend to be mild and go away in a few days.
Side effects may include:
At least 1 out of 100 people who got this vaccine reported 1 or more of these side effects. In some cases, it is unknown if the vaccine caused these side effects.
It is important to stay at the clinic for 15 minutes after your vaccine. Some people may have a rare but serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. If anaphylaxis happens, you will get medicine to treat the symptoms.
It is rare to have a serious side effect after a vaccine. Call Health Link at 811 to report any serious or unusual side effects.
There can be mild, short-term side effects after getting a vaccine. Find tips to manage these side effects at home.