Flu vaccines are inactive, small pieces of the influenza virus. Their exposure to the body allows the immune system to recognize it, and thus develop defensive antibody cells to fight the virus upon future encounters. Research is done constantly on the changing shapes and types of vaccines globally, and scientists predict which strains will be the most dominant for each season, allowing more effective vaccinations before people are maximally exposed during flu season.
Traditional flu vaccines (called “trivalent” vaccines) are made to protect against three flu viruses: an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus. There are also flu vaccines made to protect against four flu viruses (called “quadrivalent” vaccines). These vaccines protect against the same viruses as the trivalent vaccine and an additional virus.
Our pharmacists are trained and able to provide flu vaccinations to BC residents aged 5 and older.
BC residents may receive the vaccination for free if they qualify under the following criteria found here: