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Flu vaccination
Making an appointment
You can make an appointment to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu in early fall. A link will be added to this page then.
Why get vaccinated against the flu
Flu vaccination aims to reduce:
- the risk of complications of the flu;
- hospital admissions and deaths among people who are most at risk.
So it does not aim to prevent all cases of the flu.
The protection of the flu vaccine decreases in the year after vaccination, especially in older people and people with a weakened immune system.
In addition, the viruses that cause the flu change from year to year. So it is strongly recommended that people who are at greater risk of developing complications and people who are in direct contact with them get vaccinated every year.
Consult the Flu page for more information.
Who can get vaccinated free of charge
Flu vaccination is offered free of charge to the following people:
- people who are 65 years of age or older;
- people who are 6 months of age or older living with certain chronic diseases;
- people of any age who live in residential and long-term care centres (CHSLDs, Elders’ Houses) as well as in intermediate resources in support of seniors’ autonomy (RI-SAPA);
- people of any age who live in seniors’ residences (RPAs) or other communal settings with a high proportion of elderly and vulnerable people;
- pregnant people;
- who have certain chronic diseases, regardless of the stage of pregnancy,
- who are healthy and have been pregnant for 13 weeks or longer.
Vaccination is also free for people who are at risk of transmitting the flu to people who are at greater risk of developing complications, including:
- relatives who live in the same household or informal caregivers of:
- a child under 6 months of age,
- a person who is 75 years of age or older,
- a resident of a CHSLD or RI-SAPA,
- a resident of an RPA or a communal setting with a high proportion of elderly and vulnerable people,
- a pregnant person,
- a person living with certain chronic diseases;
- health care staff.
If in doubt, a health professional can help you determine if you are concerned.
Who can pay to get vaccinated
People 6 months of age or older who want to get vaccinated but are not eligible for free vaccination.
To find out how much the vaccine costs, contact your pharmacy or medical clinic.
Chronic diseases increasing the risk of complications
The vaccine is recommended to anyone living with any of the chronic diseases listed below because their disease makes them more vulnerable to complications from the flu:
Chronic cardiac or pulmonary disorders severe enough to require regular medical attention or hospital care, including the following:
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- Cystic fibrosis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Emphysema
- Asthma
Chronic conditions such as:
- Diabetes or other chronic metabolic disorders
- Liver problems, including cirrhosis
- Kidney problems
- Blood disorders, including hemoglobinopathy
- Cancer
- Immunodeficiency disorders, including HIV infection
- Immunosuppression caused by radiotherapy, chemotherapy and anti-rejection drugs (transplant)
Medical conditions that may affect the ability to expel respiratory secretions and the ability to swallow, including the following:
- Cognitive disorders
- Spinal cord injuries
- Convulsive disorders
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Morbid obesity
- Down syndrome
Types of vaccines
In Québec, there are two types of flu vaccines:
- injectable (administered by injection): it contains three different strains of the flu virus and can be administered annually, starting at 6 months of age;
- intranasal (administered through the nose): it contains three different strains of the flu virus and is delivered to the body by spraying it into the nose.
Vaccine effectiveness
The flu vaccines generally takes 2 weeks to be fully effective. The protection offered by the vaccines may vary from person to person, but it lasts at least 6 months.
The vaccine protects only against the strains of the flu virus it contains. It does not protect against other respiratory infections such as the common cold or COVID-19.
A strain of the virus included in the vaccine may be different from the circulating strains. In fact, the virus can evolve differently from what was predicted. As a result, the vaccine will be less effective against this strain. Nonetheless, the annual flu vaccine is still recommended, since it protects against the other strains included in the vaccine that might be circulating.
Children younger than 6 months
It is not recommended to vaccinate children under the age of 6 months. In fact, the effectiveness of the vaccine has yet to be proven for children that age. The vaccine is therefore not offered to them.
However, children under 6 months of age can also catch the flu. Furthermore, they are among those who are more at risk of being hospitalized upon getting the flu. Vaccination is therefore recommended to members of the same household and informal caregivers of children under 6 months of age to avoid transmitting the flu to them.
Children younger than 9 years
Children younger than 9 years getting the flu vaccine for the first time must receive two vaccine doses. The second dose must be given one month after the first. Parents must therefore plan for two appointments to get their child a flu vaccination.
Children younger than 9 years who have already received the flu vaccine need only receive a single vaccine dose.
Children aged 9 years and older
From the age of 9 years, children getting the flu vaccine receive a single dose of it, even if they have never received a flu vaccine before. The immune system of a 9-year-old child is sufficiently developed to produce enough antibodies to protect them with a single dose of the vaccine.
Injectable vaccine
The flu shot is safe. Most reactions that may occur after the injection are mild and short-lived.
| Frequency | Reactions that may occur after the injectable vaccine |
|---|---|
| In most cases (more than 50% of people) |
|
| Very often (less than 50% of people) |
|
| Often (less than 10% of people) |
|
| Sometimes (less than 1% of people) |
|
| Rarely (less than 1 person in 1,000) |
|
Intranasal vaccine
The intranasal flu vaccine is safe. In most cases, it does not cause any reaction.
| Frequency | Reactions that may occur after the intranasal vaccine |
|---|---|
| Often (less than 10% of people) |
|
| Rarely (fewer than 1 in 1,000 people) |
|
Other health problems, such as a cold or gastroenteritis, may occur after vaccination, but are unrelated to it.
Extremely rare reactions
Some extremely rare reactions may occur after vaccination. The risk of these reactions is lower after vaccination than after the flu.
Guillain-Barré syndrome, also called GBS, is one example. It attacks the nerves and can cause progressive paralysis. While most people recover, some people may have lasting effects.
Severe allergic reactions are also extremely rare.
Guidelines to follow immediately after vaccination
Wait 15 minutes before leaving the premises where you received the vaccine. If an allergic reaction occurs, the symptoms will appear a few minutes after the vaccination.
If you feel side effects, immediately inform the person who gave you the vaccine. That person will be able to treat you on the spot.
Guidelines to follow at home
Use fever or pain medication as needed.
If you received the injectable vaccine and you experience redness, pain or swelling at the injection site, place a cool damp cloth (cold compress) over the affected area.
If you received the intranasal vaccine, the virus contained in this vaccine may be found in nose secretions. So, avoid close contact with severely immunocompromised people requiring protective isolation, for two weeks following vaccination.
When to seek medical attention
See a doctor if one of the following situations applies to you:
- You experience serious and unusual symptoms.
- Your symptoms get worse instead of better.
- Your symptoms last over 48 hours.
Last update: September 21, 2026