Flu

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a respiratory illness caused by viruses that affect the nose, throat and lungs. Flu season, the peak time for influenza, is November through April each year. The flu vaccine is your best defence to protect yourself and your family against the flu.

How to get a flu vaccine

How do you get the flu?

The flu is spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing, or by touching surfaces that are contaminated with the virus.

To protect yourself from the flu you can:

  • Frequently wash your hands with soap and running water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub
  • Frequently clean and disinfect common surfaces and items
  • Get your flu vaccine

Symptoms

Symptoms usually start one to four days after being exposed to the virus. Most people will recover in seven to ten days. Individuals in high-risk groups could experience more severe complications.

You may have the flu if you have:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Stuffy nose
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Muscle ache
  • Extreme weakness and tiredness

Influenza is often confused with the common cold. Read Flu Facts to compare your symptoms.

If you think you have the flu, you should:

  • Stay home until your symptoms begin to go away; get plenty of rest
  • Cover your mouth and nose with your arm or a tissue when coughing or sneezing
  • Do not visit people in hospital or long-term care facilities
  • See your health care provider if:
    • You do not start to feel better after a few days
    • Your symptoms get worse
    • You are in a high-risk group and develop flu symptoms

Complications

Flu-related complications can affect anyone but they are more common for those in a high risk group. This includes:

  • Older adults (people 65+ years)
  • Children under five years old
  • Pregnant women
  • People with underlying health conditions

Complications from the flu can include pneumonia, which is a serious illness. It is estimated that flu causes approximately 12,200 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths in Canada each year.

Flu vaccine

The flu vaccine is the best way to reduce your risk of getting sick with influenza and spreading it to others. In elderly people, the vaccine can prevent pneumonia, hospitalization and death. Protection against the flu protects us and those most vulnerable in our families and community.

The vaccine is free and available to anyone six months of age and older in Ontario.

The flu vaccine is available late October every season in our community.

Where to get the flu shot:

The flu vaccine is widely available at the following locations:

You can receive a flu vaccine at a Public Health Clinic if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • No OHIP card
  • No Health Care Provider
  • Children under 5 and their family members

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available at Public Health Clinics by appointment only. Walk-ins are not accepted.

Select a location below for appointment booking and more details. 

150 Main Street, Cambridge - Accessibility and translation services available

Flu and COVID-19 vaccine appointments are available by appointment on Mondays from October 28 to December 16, 2024. Walk-ins are not available. 

Book a vaccine appointment

Location details:

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Wheelchairs are offered at the site
  • Interpretation services available
  • Service dog friendly
  • Able to provide private room for clients upon request

Address: 150 Main Street, Cambridge, ON N1R 6P9
20 Weber Street East, Kitchener - Accessibility and translation services available

Flu and COVID-19 vaccine appointments are available by appointment on Fridays from November 1 to December 20, 2024. Walk-ins are not available. 

Book a vaccine appointment

Location details:

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Wheelchairs are offered at the site
  • Interpretation services available
  • Service dog friendly
  • Sensory safe rooms

Address: 20 Weber Street East, Kitchener, ON N2J 1C3

The building entrance is on Weber Street East, between Queen and Frederick Streets. The clinic is on the second floor, accessible from the main lobby by stairs or elevator.

Parking is available for on nearby streets or in paid public parking lots within walking distance. 20 Weber Street is also easily accessible using Grand River Transit using the LRT and or bus. Plan your trip. 

Before getting the flu vaccine:

Call your selected location ahead to make sure the flu vaccine is available and to see if an appointment is needed. If you are having trouble with your selected location, try calling a few other places. The vaccine is delivered in batches and locations will receive more when they run out.

Public Health can not provide names of locations of where the vaccine is currently available as that changes daily.

Important note:

  • Health care providers and pharmacies have high-dose flu vaccine available for people 65 years and older, free of charge
  • Pharmacies can only vaccinate children two years of age and older
  • Pharmacies will provide the flu vaccine if you do not have a health card*, free of charge
  • Flumist is not available in Ontario

*If you do not have an Ontario health card:

Certain pharmacies will provide the flu vaccine free of charge if you do not have a health card. Call to confirm with the individual pharmacy.

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