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Q: Is the flu really a big deal?
A: Influenza is the leading cause of infectious disease death in Canada.
Q: Besides the flu shot, what else can I do to protect myself?
A: Washing your hands several times a day (with soap and water or an alcohol hand rinse containing at least 60% alcohol) is the single most effective means of preventing the flu.
Q: Against which strains of the flu does the vaccine offer protection?
A: The flu shot always contains vaccine against two influenza A strains and one influenza B strain. This offers up to 90% protection against three of the most serious upper respiratory tract infections circulating in the community.
Q: Can I get the flu from the flu shot?
A: The flu shot is made from destroyed virus. It cannot cause the flu.
Q: What are the potential side effects from the vaccination?
A: The most common side effect from the flu shot is a sore arm. The risk of fever post vaccination is low.
Q: I heard that the current flu-shot was contaminated and had to be sent back to the supplier. Is this true?
A: The flu shots used in Canada come from two suppliers, both of which have not had any contamination. Vaccine companies constantly monitor for contamination of their stocks—this recently happened in Britain and the company did not release the vaccine. Any contamination is discovered long before the vaccine is released to the public.
Q: Who is the supplier of the Canadian flu-shot?
A: Aventis Pasteur and Shire
Q: How do you know when they make the flu-shots, they are not accidentally using eggs from chickens previously contaminated with the bird (Avian) flu????
A: The eggs used are not obtained on the open market. There is no contamination of the eggs.
For more information on the flu
Canadian Coalition for Influenza Immunization
Toronto Public Health Flu Clinics
