Flu is the short form for influenza. It is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. You may experience symptoms much like having a common cold, but flu symptoms are far more serious. They include fever, head/body aches and pains, weakness, sneezing, sore throat, cough and sniffles.

October is Influenza Immunization Awareness Month - the time to start thinking about getting your flu shot. Influenza season generally starts in November and it may carry through until April. Although it is best to get your flu shot before the flu season starts, it's never too late.

The flu vaccine is now available. Immunization will ONLY be provided to patients who have an Albany Medical Clinic physician as their family doctor.

If you are a regular patient of a physician at the Albany Medical Clinic

• You may show up at the clinic:
  
  • Monday to Friday - 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Report to our Nursing Clinic on the 3rd floor, for your vaccine.
• For the office hours of our general practitioners (GP) visit our GP Directory.

If you're not a regular patient of our clinic, view a list of flu clinics in Toronto, provided by Toronto Public Health Tel: 1-877-844-1944.

We have prepared a handout with information about influenza that answers general questions you may have:

• What is the flu?
• What is the difference between the flu and the common cold?
• Can the flu cause serious illness?
• Who can get the flu?
• High-risk groups.
• Can I protect myself from the flu?
• Does the influenza vaccine work?
• Who should NOT get a flu shot?
• Does the influenza vaccine have any side effects?
• When do I get a flu shot?
• Where can I get the vaccine for influenza?
• How much will I have to pay for the vaccine?

Download our Influenza handout in PDF format (170KB).

For more information about influenza visit these websites:

• Protect Yourself From The Seasonal Flu - Public Health - City of Toronto
• Influenza (Flu) - Infectious diseases - The Lung Association
• Influenza - Infuenza Immunization - "the flu shot" - Health Canada
• Influenza - FluWatch Reports - Public Health Agency of Canada

Websites listed above do not imply an endorsement by us. Click here to read our website's Terms of Use.