The Student Wellness Centre will be holding a flu shot clinic November 10th and 11th from 9:00a.m.- 4:00p.m. The clinic will be set up outside of the Wellness Lounge on the second floor of Peter George Centre for Living and Learning (PGCLL 201).

What is the flu shot?

There are many flu vaccines available, but they all basically do the same thing. The vaccine gives your body an image of the virus prior to infection so

that your immune system is better prepared to fight should you get infected. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has stated that it is safe to receive both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time.

Why get the flu shot every year? 

1. A person’s immune protection from the vaccination declines over time so an annual flu shot provides optimal protection.
2. Flu viruses are always changing; therefore, vaccines are adjusted annually according to research that predicts which strains of the flu vaccine will be most common that season.

Why is it extra important to get the flu shot this year?

1. We must be prepared for a difficult flu season this year as many restrictions are lifted and people return back to normal activity.
2. Furthermore, it’s known that mild flu seasons like the one we had last year are typically followed by more severe ones. This is because less people gained a level of natural immunity against the flu last year
3. Getting your flu shot will also help reduce the number of flu-related hospitalizations alleviating the workload and resources for hospital staff and resources that are already stressed from the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s critical that we protect ourselves from getting the flu and prevent ourselves from passing it on to those who are immunocompromised, the elderly, or very young children. Should they get the flu, a poor outcome is much more likely.

Protect yourself and others from the flu this season and book now: https://swapps.mcmaster.ca/fluclinic/  

Learn More about the flu shot here: https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/getting-your-flu-shot/