Influenza (flu) vaccine

Influenza vaccines can be given at the same time as other vaccines.

This means earlier protection against multiple diseases and appointments. Receiving multiple vaccines at the same time does not reduce the effectiveness of each vaccine.

The flu vaccine is given as an injection in the upper arm in older children and adults and into the thigh in infants.

FluMist a nasal spray vaccine is available for children aged two to seventeen who may be hesitant to receive the traditional needle-based vaccine. Talk to a health care provider to see if this vaccine is appropriate.

Influenza (flu) is a respiratory illness that spreads easily and can sometimes lead to serious complications, including trouble breathing, convulsions, seizures, and pneumonia.

New strains of influenza appear every year, and the flu vaccine is updated to protect against the strains of influenza expected to circulate. It is important to get vaccinated every year.

Getting the influenza vaccine each year helps protect you and those you love from serious influenza illness.

Beginning mid-October, New Brunswick residents aged six months and older can receive free annual influenza vaccine.  

Annual vaccination is especially important for:

• People at higher risk of serious outcomes of illness like young children under 5 years of age, people with chronic health conditions, and older adults and
• People who could spread influenza to others. 

Talk to your immunization provider if you or your child:

• previously developed a serious reaction after an Influenza vaccine:
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of a previous vaccine without another cause;
  • Oculorespiratory (ORS) syndrome with lower respiratory tract symptoms should consult a health care provider;
• currently have a severe illness or infection with a fever;
• had a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the influenza vaccine.

For FluMist, also talk to your immunization provider if you or your child:

• Is pregnant or nursing
• Has severe asthma or active wheezing
• Receives aspirin or aspirin-containing medication
• Has a history of allergic reactions to gentamicin, gelatin or arginine or any other ingredient of the vaccine or it’s container
• Has a severe allergic reaction to eggs or to egg proteins or a previous influenza vaccine.
• Are immunosuppressed or have close contact with people who are immunocompromised

NOTE: Individuals with egg allergies can receive the injectable flu vaccine.

Inform your immunization provider if you or your child has any health problems, allergies or previous reactions to a vaccine.

Reactions to the vaccine are generally mild and last one to two days. Common reactions to the injected vaccine may include soreness, redness and swelling where the vaccine was given. Fever may also occur.

FluMist side effects may include runny or blocked nose, headache, tiredness, fever, and sore throat.

For mild reactions, a cold compress at the injection site may reduce discomfort. Ask a health-care provider what medicine is best to reduce fever.

As with any vaccine, there is an extremely rare risk (less than one in a million people) of a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. For this reason, it is important to remain in the clinic for 15 minutes after vaccination.

Symptoms of this anaphylaxis may include rash, difficulty breathing or swelling of the throat, tongue, or lips. This reaction can be treated.

Rare cases of GBS (muscle weakness, loss of reflexes, and numbness or tinging in arms, legs, face and other body parts) have been reported with both influenza vaccination and influenza illness, however, the risk is higher with influenza illlness than with influenza vaccination. 

Rare cases of ORS (non-allergic red eyes) have been reported following influenza immunization.

If you or your child experiences unusual reactions to the vaccine or you have any questions or concerns, please contact your primary care provider, pharmacy, Public Health office or Tele-Care 811.

Call emergency services (911) right away if you have left the vaccination site and develop serious symptoms such as trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, chest pain or irregular heartbeat.

Children can be vaccinated through their local Public Health office (Horizon, Vitalité), primary care provider, or a local pharmacy (for those two years and older).

Adults can book a vaccine appointment through a primary health-care provider, a participating pharmacy, Public Health clinic or online using the provincial scheduler.

Midwives may offer influenza vaccine to their clients.

Long-term care residents from a nursing home or an adult residential facility can receive their vaccine on site.

Out-of-province students can also get their vaccine through student health services at their respective post-secondary institutions.

If a New Brunswick resident doesn't have a New Brunswick Medicare card but is eligible for the vaccine, call 1-833-437-1424 to book an appointment.

Vaccination records for people aged 16 and older are available by registering online at MyHealthNB. To access your immunization record, please register or sign in to your account.

The paper record of immunization provided when vaccinated will continue to be the official record. Keep your immunization record in a safe place.

If the information on your record is incorrect or you received immunizations outside of New Brunswick and want them added, send an email to [email protected].

Immunizations administered prior to 1991 may not be readily accessible in MyHealthNB. If your vaccination record is not available at MyHealthNB, contact the place you received your vaccines.