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Influenza (flu) season

Learn how to keep you and your family healthy during flu season.

Last updated: October 9, 2024

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infection of the respiratory system caused by the influenza A and B viruses. Every year, influenza spreads in our communities, generally in the late fall and winter months.

Flu vaccines are free for everyone 6 months and older. It's important to get your flu vaccine to protect yourself this fall and winter. To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia: Influenza vaccine (flu vaccine).

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Flu symptoms

The severity of an influenza infection can vary from mild to severe. Getting sick from influenza can put you at risk of severe disease and its complications, including getting sick with other infections. These include viral or bacterial pneumonia, which affects the lungs. The risk of complications can be life-threatening.

The symptoms of influenza can be similar to other respiratory illnesses including the common cold and COVID-19. If you are sick, stay home until your fever is gone to help prevent the spread of the flu or other respiratory illnesses. Avoid close contact with other people until you feel well enough to get back to your usual day-to-day activities.

The symptoms of influenza can be like other respiratory illnesses including the common cold and COVID-19. Use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool to find out if you or your family members need further assessment or testing for COVID-19.

Understanding seasonal influenza can help prevent you and your family from becoming sick. To learn about influenza, how to prevent it, what the symptoms are, what the home treatments are and more, see Facts about Influenza (the Flu) (HealthLinkBC File #12b).

Who should get an influenza vaccine?

Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a yearly influenza vaccination with rare exception. 

Vaccination is especially important for people who are at high risk of serious illness from influenza (such as young children, pregnant women, seniors 65 years and older, and people with certain medical conditions) and those able to transmit or spread influenza to those at high risk. It is also recommended for children and adults with neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions to get immunized. This fall and winter, everyone in British Columbia who is 6 months of age or older can get the influenza vaccine free of charge.

Pharmacists can immunize people 4 years of age and older with injectable vaccines and 2 years and older with nasal spray influenza vaccine.

Getting vaccinated against the flu

Influenza vaccines are a safe and the most effective way to help people stay healthy, prevent illness and even save lives. To learn about influenza vaccinations, click on the links below.

Additional resources

BCCDC and the Province provide information on immunizations to individuals, families and health care providers. They also provide tools to make it easier for B.C. families to get immunized. For information on where you can locate influenza clinics across the province or to learn more about influenza and the influenza vaccine, click on the links below.

BC Centre for Disease Control

BCCDC provides health promotion and prevention services, and diagnostic and treatment services to reduce communicable and chronic diseases, injuries and environmental health risks.

Government of British Columbia

Learn more about the influenza vaccine, including why getting the vaccine is important. Find out how to get the flu vaccine, and who is eligible to get it.