According to Toronto Public Health 2020-2021 Influenza Vaccine Fact Sheet, it is important for everyone who can, to get their flu shot this year. The flu vaccine will not protect you against COVID-19, but it will protect you from the flu or reduce the severity of illness from the flu. It will also prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed with additional patient visits, and it may even reduce the need for you to get tested for COVID-19, as the symptoms are very similar.

LSP program settlement workers Stanley Teo and Yan Gu, together with community partners – AIMES (Assisting in Medical Expectations), Scadding Court Community Centre and University Settlement, jointly co-hosted a Flu Vaccine Information Session on October 22 to answer clients’ questions on what are the guidelines and changes for flu vaccination this year. This online session conducted in Mandarin was well attended with great interest of 83 participants.

Flu vaccine is available from early October at doctor’s office, long-term care homes, medical walk-in clinics, pharmacies and Toronto Public Health (TPH) flu clinics.
TPH clinics work by appointments only.

How to Get Your Flu Shot Safely During COVID-19:

– Make an appointment for each family member getting their flu shot.
– Self-screen for symptoms of COVID-19 on the day of the clinic.
– Stay home if feeling unwell, even with mild symptoms.
– Bring a mask and pen.
– Read the flu vaccine fact sheet
– Print and complete the flu consent form PDF before the clinic.
If you do not have a printer, there will be consent forms available at the clinic.
– Do not bring family and friends if they do not have an appointment.

The slides (in Mandarin) for the workshop can be found here