Flu season creeps up every year, and it’s easy to mean to get around to a flu shot and then not quite manage it. A little planning early in the fall makes the whole thing simpler, and it matters more for some family members than others.
Why timing matters
It takes about two weeks after your flu shot for full immunity to build up, and flu activity in BC typically starts increasing through the fall and peaks over winter. Getting vaccinated earlier in the season, rather than waiting until flu is already going around your workplace or your kids’ school, gives your body time to be ready before exposure is likely.
That said, if you missed the early rush, a flu shot later in the season still helps. Flu circulates in BC well into the winter and sometimes into early spring, so “too late” is rarer than people assume.
Who should make it a priority
The flu can be uncomfortable for anyone, but it’s genuinely risky for some groups. Public health guidance in BC recommends flu shots be a priority for:
- Children 6 months to 5 years old
- Adults 65 and older
- Pregnant women
- People with chronic health conditions (heart, lung, kidney, diabetes, and others)
- Anyone living with or caring for someone in a higher-risk group
- Healthcare and care-facility workers
If you fall into one of these groups, or you live with someone who does, it’s worth not putting the appointment off.
Where to get your flu shot
In BC, flu shots are available both through pharmacies and through family doctors, and many pharmacists are able to give flu shots without a scheduled appointment once the season’s supply arrives, though availability can vary by location and by how far into the season you are, so it’s worth calling ahead to check.
At Purple, flu shots are available at our Mission pharmacy, and through our family practice team at the clinic. If you’d rather see your family doctor, especially if you have questions about how it fits with an existing health condition, you can book that visit directly.
What to expect at your appointment
A flu shot itself takes only a few minutes. You might have a sore arm for a day or two, and mild, short-lived symptoms like tiredness or a low-grade ache aren’t unusual. They’re a sign your immune system is responding, not a sign of illness. Most people are in and out quickly, with a short wait afterward just to make sure you feel fine before you leave.
If you’re already due for another vaccine, such as a COVID-19 booster, it’s worth asking whether it can be given at the same visit. And if you’re feeling unwell with a fever on the day of your appointment, it’s generally recommended to wait until you’ve recovered rather than getting vaccinated while sick. A mild cold with no fever usually isn’t a reason to reschedule, but check with your pharmacist or doctor if you’re unsure.
Protecting the whole family
Babies under 6 months old can’t get the flu vaccine themselves, which is one reason it matters for everyone around them to be vaccinated: parents, grandparents, siblings, and other caregivers. This kind of “cocooning” protection is one of the more overlooked reasons to get the whole family vaccinated, not just the people considered highest-risk.
Getting your family ready
If you’re not sure whether to book at the pharmacy or with your family doctor, either is a reasonable place to start. Call and ask what’s available.
Call our pharmacy at 604-287-2245, or book with your family doctor at purplehealth.co/book-appointment/. For general public health information on flu season, HealthLink BC (811) is also available.