The influenza (flu) season will soon arrive and we are making plans for our annual flu vaccine clinics. Please read below important information about the flu and the flu vaccinations that will be available this year for you, your children, and your family.

1. Who should get the flu vaccine?

With a few exceptions, the influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone over 6 months of age. At the bottom of this email are links to vaccine information sheets from the Center for Disease Control with further information about why it is recommended and the few individuals who should avoid receiving the vaccine.

2. How to get yourselves and your children immunized?

This Flu season, Kindercare Pediatrics will be offering flu vaccine clinics for all children and their first-degree relatives. Please note that the vaccine clinics will not be run as walk-in clinics. Appointments must be scheduled in advance.  Call or email to book an appointment that suits you/your family.

3. What types of vaccines are available?

There are two types of flu vaccines available in Canada: the trivalent vaccine (needle-injected, covers 3 strains of flu) and the quadrivalent (needle injected or sprayed in the nostrils, covers 4 strains of flu). The safety profile and effectiveness of both vaccines are excellent.  Toronto Public health is recommending that the following flu shots be given to the following patients:

  • Children 6 months to 2 years of age: quadrivalent needle vaccine
  • Children aged 2 years to 18 years of age: quadrivalent vaccine – either needle or nasal spray
  • Adults (over 18 years old): trivalent needle vaccine

4. When will clinics start?  

As of the week of November 2nd, 2015, we are still awaiting delivery of flu-shots from Toronto Public Health.  As soon as we have enough supply we will begin scheduling flu vaccine clinics. Check back here regularly.  This section will be updated as soon as new information becomes available.

For further information about flu shot availability, out these CDC Vaccine Information Handouts for the conventional vaccine and for the nasal vaccine. Here are a few other reliable information sources about the influenza vaccine:

Yours truly, The Kindercare Pediatrics Team