Who in my family really needs a flu shot, and who can skip it?

Flu Shots: Who in Your Family Really Needs One?

If you're wondering who actually needs a flu shot this year, here's the straight answer: everyone 6 months and older should get one, with very few exceptions. The good news is that flu shots are free in Ontario and widely available.

How flu shots protect your family

Think of flu shots like seatbelts for flu season. They don't guarantee you won't get sick, but they make serious illness much less likely. When most people in a community get vaccinated, it creates a protective bubble around those who can't be vaccinated, like babies under 6 months.

The flu isn't just a bad cold. It can lead to hospitalization, especially in young children, pregnant people, and adults over 65. Even healthy kids and adults can end up seriously ill.

Who definitely needs a flu shot

Everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated, but it's especially important for:

- Babies and toddlers (6 months to 5 years)

- Anyone pregnant or planning to become pregnant

- Adults 65 and older

- People with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease

- Anyone who lives with or cares for high-risk people

Who might not need one

Very few people should skip flu shots. The main exceptions are:

- Babies under 6 months (they rely on mom's antibodies and everyone around them being vaccinated)

- People with severe, life-threatening allergies to flu vaccine ingredients

- Anyone who's had a serious reaction to a flu shot before

If your child has had mild reactions like soreness or low fever, they should still get vaccinated. These are normal and show their immune system is responding.

Common questions parents ask

Can my child get the flu from the flu shot? No. The injectable vaccine contains either dead virus or a single gene from the flu virus, so it can't cause flu illness.

What if my child was sick when vaccines were due? You can catch up anytime during flu season. It's better to get vaccinated late than not at all.

Do we need it every year? Yes, because flu viruses change constantly and your immunity decreases over time. Each year's vaccine is updated to match the strains most likely to spread.

Getting your family vaccinated

Flu shots are available at doctor's offices, public health clinics, many pharmacies, and some workplaces and schools. You don't need a health card, and there's no cost to families.

The takeaway

Unless there's a specific medical reason to avoid it, everyone in your family 6 months and up should get a flu shot. You're protecting not just your own family, but your whole community.

You can always text Arlo and talk to a provider in 5 minutes!

References

- [Flu (influenza) vaccine](https://www.ontario.ca/page/flu-influenza-vaccine) - Ontario.ca

- [Influenza (flu) vaccine: Canadian Immunization Guide](https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/page-12-influenza-vaccine.html) - Public Health Agency of Canada

- [Flu vaccine](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions-and-treatments/flu_vaccine) - Caring for Kids (Canadian Paediatric Society)