Flu Shots: Free Access In New Brunswick

The seasonal flu vaccine is available free of charge to all New Brunswick residents. The flu is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that can cause mild to severe illness and lead to hospitalisation. The flu occurs every year in New Brunswick, across Canada and worldwide. Getting immunised each year is the best way to protect against the flu and reduce the potential strain on the healthcare system. New Brunswickers are encouraged to get their free flu shot to stay healthy and reduce hospitalisations.

Who should get a flu shot?

The seasonal flu is a contagious illness caused by the influenza virus that can affect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, which may lead to hospitalisation and, in some cases, death. The flu shot is the best way to protect yourself from the flu. It causes antibodies to develop in your body, which provide protection against infection. The flu shot helps your body build immunity and fight off the flu virus if it enters your body.

Different flu shots are approved for people of different ages. It is important that everyone gets a vaccine that is appropriate for their age. It is especially important that people with the following health conditions or in the following groups get the flu shot as they are at a higher risk of complications from the flu:

• Cancer and other immune-compromising conditions
• Neurological or neurodevelopment conditions
• Children up to 18 years of age undergoing treatment for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
• People 65 years and older
• People who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities
• Children under 5 years of age
• Pregnant women or those planning to get pregnant

The only groups that should not get the seasonal flu shot are children younger than six months of age and anyone with severe, life-threatening allergies to the flu vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine.

The seasonal flu vaccine is available free of charge to all New Brunswick residents. NB residents can obtain the vaccine from a variety of sources, including doctors, nurse practitioners, midwives, and pharmacists.

Who shouldn't get a flu shot?

Flu shots are generally recommended for everyone over the age of six months. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Here are the groups of people who should not get a flu shot:

Infants Younger than Six Months Old

Babies under six months old do not have a fully functioning immune system capable of producing the desired response to the vaccine. This is why it is essential for pregnant women to get their flu shots.

People with Life-Threatening Allergies to the Vaccine or its Components

If you have previously experienced a life-threatening allergic reaction to the flu vaccine or its components, such as gelatin, antibiotics, or other ingredients, you should avoid the flu vaccine. Anaphylaxis, a sudden and potentially fatal body-wide reaction, is very rare but can occur.

People with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)

The CDC advises that individuals with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a severe paralyzing illness affecting the peripheral nervous system, should generally avoid the flu vaccine. However, it is worth noting that GBS is very rare, and the exact cause is unknown.

People Who Are Extremely Ill

If you are currently very ill, such as having a high fever, pneumonia, or being hospitalised, it is recommended to wait until you fully recover before getting the flu shot. Getting vaccinated while very sick may reduce its effectiveness and prolong your recovery time.

Certain People Should Avoid the Nasal Flu Vaccine

The nasal spray flu vaccine, containing a live virus, is not suitable for specific groups, including:

• Children younger than two years old
• Adults 50 years and older
• Individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions to any ingredient in the nasal spray vaccine (excluding egg proteins)
• Those who have had a severe allergic reaction to any flu vaccine
• Children and adolescents 2 to 17 years old receiving aspirin or salicylate-containing medications
• People with weakened immune systems due to various causes, including immunosuppressant drugs
• Children 2 to 4 years old with asthma or a history of wheezing in the past year
• People who have recently taken influenza antiviral medications
• Individuals who care for extremely immunocompromised patients and cannot avoid contact for 7 days after vaccination

People with Egg Allergies

While most flu vaccines contain egg protein, people with egg allergies can still get vaccinated. If you have a history of severe egg allergies, it is recommended to receive your vaccine in a medical setting for monitoring.

Where can I get a flu shot?

The seasonal flu shot is available free of charge to all New Brunswick residents. It is recommended that you get a flu shot every year, as your immune system build-up from the previous year's flu shot declines over time, and the flu virus can change each year.

You can get the flu shot from a variety of providers, including:

• Your primary care provider or family doctor
• A pharmacist
• A nurse practitioner
• A midwife
• Nurses working in various healthcare settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes
• Public Health Offices

To book your appointment, call Tele-Services at 1-833-437-1424 or book online by visiting the list of participating pharmacies.

How does the flu shot work?

The flu shot is designed to protect you from the flu, which is a contagious illness caused by the influenza virus that infects the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. The flu can cause mild to severe illness and, in some cases, can lead to hospitalization or even death. The flu shot is an important tool in protecting against the flu and reducing the potential strain on healthcare systems. In New Brunswick, the seasonal influenza vaccine is available free of charge to all residents.

Now, how does the flu shot work? Well, the flu shot uses a deactivated or weakened version of the influenza virus. This triggers your body to recognize an antigen (a protein) on the surface of the virus. As a result, your immune system develops antibodies that will fight the flu. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses used to make the vaccine. Essentially, the flu shot helps your body build immunity and fight off the flu virus if it enters your body.

It's important to get a flu shot every year for two main reasons. Firstly, the protection offered by the flu shot decreases over time, so an annual vaccination is necessary to maintain optimal protection. Secondly, the flu virus is constantly changing, and the vaccine may be updated from one season to the next to protect against new strains.

The flu shot is safe for most people and is recommended for everyone aged six months and older. However, individuals with severe, life-threatening allergies to the flu vaccine or its ingredients should not get the flu shot. It's important to note that you cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine itself. The vaccine is made with either inactivated (killed) or weakened flu viruses, so it will not cause flu illness.

Why do I need a flu shot every year?

The flu (influenza) is a respiratory virus that circulates each year, typically during the colder months. It can cause mild to severe illness and can even lead to hospitalization or death. The flu is a highly contagious illness that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It spreads easily through communities and can be transmitted through water droplets in the air or by touching contaminated surfaces.

The flu shot is necessary every year for two main reasons:

Declining Immunity:

Your immune system's protection against the flu wanes over time. Even if the flu virus did not change annually, you would still need regular flu vaccine boosters to maintain a strong immune defence. The flu shot causes your body to develop antibodies to fight off the flu virus. However, these antibodies gradually decrease, making you more susceptible to infection over time.

Flu Virus Mutation:

The flu virus is notorious for its ability to change or mutate easily. Each year, different versions or strains of the flu virus circulate in the population. The outer structures of the virus, which are typically targeted by vaccines, are constantly evolving. Therefore, a new vaccine is required each year to match the strains predicted to be most prevalent during the upcoming flu season.

The seasonal flu vaccine is updated annually to keep up with the anticipated strains. By getting vaccinated, you not only protect yourself but also reduce the potential strain on the healthcare system and protect those around you who may be at higher risk for serious flu-related complications.

It's important to note that flu shots are generally safe and effective, with most people experiencing few to no side effects. Additionally, you cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine, as it does not contain any live virus.

While scientists are working towards developing a "universal" flu vaccine that would eliminate the need for annual shots, it is currently recommended that everyone aged six months and older receive a flu shot every year to stay protected against this ever-changing virus.

Frequently asked questions