News & Events

2020 Flu Clinics

Plans are currently underway for our 2020 Influenza vaccine clinic for Medical Centre patients of Family Physicians and Nurse Practitioners. We are planning for Saturday flu clinics in October. Dates TBA. Patients are required to make an appointment by contacting your Family Physician or Nurse Practitioners office. Watch here for further information.

Flu Virus

Ontarians are being strongly encouraged this year to receive their annual influenza vaccine (“Flu Shot”), given that COVID-19 is also circulating. As in past years, the flu shot is free to receive for all Ontarians aged 6 months and older with a valid OHIP card. There are several changes this year in terms of where and how you can receive your flu shot. Although we will have some supply in our offices, pharmacies will again be able to provide flu shots this year, including the high dose vaccine. Last year, high dose vaccines were only available in physician offices. Furthermore, two of the biggest changes this year is that most flu shots will be available by appointment only and patients will be required to screen for COVID-19 symptoms prior to receiving their vaccine.

The first shipment of flu vaccines will arrive in the next few weeks. This initial shipment is primarily intended for hospitals and long-term care facilities, but we will be receiving a limited supply in our offices.

For people over age 65, there are 2 options again this year for the flu shot - the regular flu shot and the high dose flu shot. Both are effective and it is important that you at least receive one of the vaccines. Although we will have a limited supply of the high-dose vaccine, the province has redeployed about 45% of our high dose supply to pharmacies this year, so seniors over age 65 who wish to receive a high dose vaccine can also contact their pharmacy as well.

Planning larger clinics as we have done in past years is more challenging this season due to the need to maintain social distancing. Planning continues on this. Please check back here regularly for updates. If we do proceed with clinics, information will be posted here and they would likely not take place until late October/November, in order to ensure an adequate supply of vaccine is available.

Please see below for more information about the flu, the flu shot, where to receive your flu shot based on your age, and more general information and FAQs.

FAQ’s 2020 Influenza Vaccines

1. I am a Medical Centre patient. Where can I get the flu shot this year?

Age 6 months- 5 years:

Contact your family doctor’s office to book an appointment. If it is the first year that a child under 9 years of age is receiving the flu vaccine, they will need an additional booster after 30 days. If your child is over 9 years of age, or is under 9 years of age but has received the flu vaccine previously, they only require a single vaccine this year.

Recommended Flu Vaccine: Quadrivalent

*If you receive your flu vaccine at a pharmacy, please ask them to send a notification to us so that we can enter that information in your medical record.

Age 5-65:

Your family doctor’s office or a participating pharmacy. Contact your family doctor’s office to book an appointment or contact your pharmacy to book an appointment. If it is the first year that a child under 9 years of age is receiving the flu vaccine, they will need an additional booster after 30 days. If your child is over 9 years of age, or is under 9 years of age but has received the flu vaccine previously, they only require a single vaccine this year.

Recommended Flu Vaccine: Quadrivalent

*If you receive your flu vaccine at a pharmacy, please ask them to send a notification to us so that we can enter that information in your medical record.

Age > 65:

Your family doctor’s office or a participating pharmacy. This year, participating pharmacies are carrying the “High Dose” Flu Shot in Ontario, which is the recommended Flu Shot in this age group. If the “High Dose” is unavailable, we recommend the quadrivalent vaccine as it is also effective.

Recommended Flu Vaccine: “High Dose” (Trivalent). Quadrivalent is also effective.

*If you receive your flu vaccine at a pharmacy, please ask them to send a notification to us so that we can enter that information in your medical record.

2. When will the Flu Vaccine be available?

Flu vaccines will be available from the middle of October onward at both doctor’s offices and pharmacies. It is better to get the flu vaccine earlier if possible, as it takes about 14 days from the time you receive the Flu Shot to develop immunity.

3. What if I get sick on the day of my appointment for the vaccine?

If you are sick, do not attend your appointment and notify either your physician office or your pharmacy, depending on who you booked the appointment with. This year, everybody who is getting a Flu Shot must also complete COVID-19 screening beforehand. You will not be eligible to receive the vaccine if you have not been screened or if you screen positive. You should re-book an appointment after you are feeling better.

4. What are the differences between the “High Dose” Flu Shot and the “Regular” Flu Shot?

The “High Dose” Flu Shot has an increased amount of the Influenza A antigen. This promotes a higher immune response to this strain. Studies have shown that Influenza A is more common in ages >65, and that the immune system and therefore response to the vaccine is also potentially weaker in this age group as well. That is why the “High Dose” Flu Shot is currently recommended for this age group. The “High Dose” Flu shot is a trivalent vaccine, meaning it contains 3 strains of influenza (2 strains of Influenza A and one Influenza B). The “Regular” Flu Shot is a quadrivalent vaccine, meaning it contains 4 strains of influenza (2 strains of Influenza A and 2 strains of Influenza B).

What Is The Flu?

Influenza, commonly known as "the flu", is a serious, acute respiratory illness that is caused by a virus. People who get the flu may have common symptoms that can include a fever, chills, cough, runny eyes, stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, extreme weakness and fatigue. Symptoms may vary from person to person. For example, the elderly may not have a fever. Children can also have earaches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The cough and fatigue can persist for up to several weeks, making the return to full personal and work activities difficult.

People of any age can get the flu and illness usually lasts two to seven days; sometimes longer in the elderly and in people with chronic diseases. Most people who get the flu are ill for only a few days. However, some people can become very ill, possibly developing complications and requiring hospitalization.

The flu spreads through coughing, sneezing or talking. It is also spread through direct contact with surfaces contaminated by the influenza virus, such as toys, eating utensils, and unwashed hands.

What Are The Symptoms Of The Flu?

People who get the flu may have common symptoms that can include a fever, chills, cough, runny eyes, stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, extreme weakness and fatigue. Symptoms may vary from person to person.

What Is The Difference Between A Cold And The Flu?

The common cold and flu symptoms are often very similar. Use the chart below to help you determine if what you have is a simple cold, or the flu.

*Colds do not generally result in serious health problems such as pneumonia or bacterial infections.

Symptom Cold Influenza
Prevention Frequent hand washing Annual immunization and frequent hand washing
Fever Rare Usual; high fever (102 ° F/39 ° C - 104 ° F, 40 ° C), sudden onset, lasts 3 to 4 days.
Headache Rare Usual; can be severe
Muscle aches and pains Sometimes, generally mild Usual; often severe
Tiredness and weakness Sometimes, generally mild Usual; severe, may last up to 2 to 3 weeks
Extreme tiredness Unusual Usual; early onset, can be severe
Runny, stuffy nose Common Common
Sneezing Common Sometimes
Sore throat Common Common
Chest discomfort, coughing Sometimes, mild to moderate Usual, can become severe.
Complications Can lead to sinus congestion or infection, and ear aches.* Can lead to pneumonia and respiratory failure, and become life-threatening. Can worsen a chronic condition.