As we enter cold and flu season during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we urge you to take flu out of the mix and get their your flu shot.
Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory disease that can lead to serious illness, hospitalization, or death. If the flu spreads rapidly in communities at the same time as COVID-19, it could overwhelm our health care system and put our loved ones at risk. The best protection is to get the flu shot this fall and stay home if you’re sick.
Flu and COVID-19
The flu and COVID-19 can have similar symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, or fatigue (or others). The only way to confirm tell if you have COVID-19 or influenza is to get tested. If you’re having symptoms of the flu or COVID-19 and need to decide if you should get tested, visit the Northern Health testing webpage, call 8-1-1, or contact your primary care provider.
Get your flu shot at a Northern Health flu clinic
Most Northern Health flu clinics are starting the week of October 18, and flu shots will also be available from pharmacies and doctor’s offices throughout the region. To find a flu clinic or provider near you, visit ImmunizeBC, or call 8-1-1.
Things to keep in mind when getting your flu shot this year
- Please follow the instructions of clinic staff, and respect COVID-19 safety protocols put in place by other flu shot providers.
- As per the Provincial Health Officer’s order on masks in public indoor settings, everybody aged 5 or older (born in 2016 or earlier) must wear a mask when they go to a flu clinic.
- In some communities, the NH Check In app is available to make physical distancing easier while waiting for your flu shot. Please note:
- NH Check In isn't for making appointments, it's for tracking your place in line and knowing what the current wait time is.
- Using NH Check In is optional.
- It’s safe to get your flu shot at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine. You can safely get a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time, or any time before or after any other live/inactivated vaccine (this includes the flu vaccine). For more information, see ImmunizeBC.
Who should get a flu shot?
Flu shots are recommended for everybody six months of age and older. They are safe, effective, and free.
It’s especially important for people in the following groups to get the flu shot:
- Infants
- Seniors
- Pregnant people
- Indigenous people
- People with underlying medical or chronic health conditions
- People who work with or come in close contact with higher-risk groups
Where to get a flu shot
To find a flu clinic or provider near you, visit ImmunizeBC, or call 8-1-1.
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