Why should I get a flu shot?
People often mistake the flu for the common cold, although flu symptoms are generally worse than cold symptoms. In some cases, the flu can lead to pneumonia, hospitalization or even death.
A flu shot is the best way to protect people who are at a high risk of developing flu-related complications.
To learn everything you need to know about flu and to book an appointment, read more about our health feature on vaccination.
Who should get a flu shot?
The flu vaccine is recommended and free for people at higher risk of developing flu-related complications:
- Children from 6 months to 17 years old who have certain chronic diseases (flu shot available for 2 years and older in pharmacy)
Adults who have certain chronic diseases (including pregnant women regardless the stage of pregnancy) - Pregnant women, in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of their pregnancy
- People aged 75 and over
- Residents of all ages in residential and long-term care centers as well as intermediate resources
To reduce the risk of contamination, the flu vaccine is also offered free of charge to:
- Family members who live in the same household of a child under 6 months of age or a person at higher risk of being hospitalized and to their caregivers
- Health care workers
- Healthy people from 60 to 74 years old
Are you not one of those people who meet one of these criteria? You can also use this service at certain pharmacies, but there may be some fees for the flu shot. Contact your pharmacy to see if the service is available and to learn more about details and conditions.
Protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu and its complications. The appointment booking is available now.
Infection prevention measures at the pharmacy
In collaboration with government authorities and the Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec, preventive measures have been put into place throughout pharmacies that offer a vaccination service in order to prevent the spread of all viruses. From regularly cleaning patient waiting areas to applying strict personal protective measures, we are doing everything we can to keep our patients and teams safe.
We are also asking for the cooperation of our patients, so please:
- Do not come to the pharmacy if:
- You have symptoms associated with COVID-19 (fever, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, sudden loss of smell without nasal congestion, extreme fatigue, significant loss of appetite, general muscle pain, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache)
- You have been asked to self-isolate at home
- You have travelled outside Canada in the last 14 days
- Bring your health insurance card and your vaccination record booklet
- Wear a mask or a face covering (10 years and over)
- Wear a short-sleeved shirt
- Use the hydroalcoholic hand sanitizer at the entrance
- Respect respiratory hygiene (cough without contaminating)
- Maintain a physical distance of 2 metres from others
- Follow signs directing the flow of foot traffic
- Go alone in the vaccination area (except for children or non-autonomous people who may be accompanied)
- Respect the assigned time slots by arriving only 5 minutes before the scheduled time of the appointment
- Allow a 15 minute waiting period for post-vaccination observation.
This service is offered by your pharmacist-owner affiliated with Accès pharma. During your appointment, a nurse or a pharmacist will administer the vaccine. See if this service is available at your pharmacy and book an appointment online or over the phone. Please note that the availability of the service and medication is subject to change. Details and conditions at the pharmacy.
