Is the Flu Shot Safe and Should I Get It?

Public health authorities in both Canada and the U.S. recommend that almost everyone aged 6 months and older get a flu shot each year. It’s considered the most effective way to reduce your risk of contracting influenza and, if you do get sick, it lowers the chance of complications (like pneumonia or hospitalization). 

The flu vaccine is a controlled, strategic workout, teaching your immune system to recognize the virus and build antibodies without actually getting infected. With the flu shot, If you encounter the virus during the season, your body has already practiced its response. Vaccinations also help to protect those around you by reducing how much virus you can potentially shed and spread to others.

Yes—the flu vaccine has been given to millions of people over many years and has been shown to have an excellent safety record for pregnant individuals. The flu itself carries a higher risk of complications during pregnancy. Large studies show no increased risk of miscarriage after flu vaccinations, and health organizations recommend the flu shot in any trimester because preventing viral infection is safer than experiencing and treating it. 

Flu vaccination during pregnancy also provides protection for newborns, which keeps them safe during the time between birth and their own vaccines. If you’re pregnant, opt for the standard injectable flu vaccine (instead of the nasal spray)—this ensures strong protection for both you and your baby without exposing you to live viral material, which can pose theoretical risks during pregnancy and in immunocompromised individuals.

Yes—getting your flu shot while breastfeeding is safe and allows your body to make antibodies that help to protect you against severe viral illness. These antibodies are passed to your baby through breast milk, offering protection for infants too young to be vaccinated themselves. Neither the inactivated (injection) nor live-virus vaccines given to a breastfeeding parent have been shown to affect the safety of breastfeeding. Therefore, breastfeeding itself is not a reason to avoid vaccination.

Yes—Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization, the Canadian Paediatric Society, and the U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention recommend the annual flu vaccine for all children 6 months of age and older. The flu shot protects children from getting sick, reduces their ability to spread the virus, and reduces the chances of serious complications like pneumonia, dehydration, and hospitalizations—which are big risks for youngsters.