Book a flu shot at a Walmart Pharmacy near you

What is influenza?

Influenza, commonly called the flu, is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It is different from the common cold and can sometimes lead to serious complications.

Common flu symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite

Symptoms and their severity can differ from person to person. If you are experiencing symptoms or have concerns about your health, speak with a pharmacist or another health-care provider.

Flu, cold or vaccine side effects?

These are sometimes confused, but they are not the same:

• Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.
• The common cold is caused by other viruses and is different from influenza.
• Flu vaccine side effects are temporary reactions that may occur as the body develops an immune response.

The flu shot cannot give you influenza.

How does the flu vaccine work?

The flu vaccine helps your immune system recognize and respond to influenza viruses. This immune response can help protect you if you are exposed to influenza later.

Flu vaccination can:

• Reduce your chance of getting the flu
• Help prevent serious flu-related complications
• Reduce the likelihood of spreading influenza to people around you
• Help protect individuals who may be at greater risk of severe illness

It generally takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to develop its best protection.

Protection takes time

The flu vaccine does not provide protection immediately. Receiving the vaccine when it becomes available can allow time for your immune response to develop before influenza activity increases in the community.

Why is flu vaccination recommended every year?

Influenza viruses can change over time, and different strains may circulate during each flu season. Experts review influenza activity and recommend which strains should be included in the seasonal vaccine.

Protection from vaccination may also decrease over time. For these reasons, influenza vaccination is recommended every year.

What about the flu shot I received last year?

A previous flu vaccine may not provide the same protection during the current flu season. Annual vaccination helps provide protection against the influenza strains expected to circulate that season.

Who should get a flu shot?

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for almost everyone six months of age and older, unless a health-care provider advises otherwise.

Vaccination is particularly important for people at greater risk of serious flu-related complications and for people who may spread influenza to someone at greater risk. This may include:

• Young children
• Adults 65 years of age and older
• Pregnant individuals
• People with certain chronic health conditions
• People whose immune systems are affected by a health condition or medication
• People who live with or care for someone at greater risk

The minimum age at which a pharmacist may administer a flu vaccine varies by province. A pharmacist or another health-care provider can help you understand the recommendations that may apply to you or someone in your care.

Before your flu shot appointment

Being prepared can help your pharmacist confirm if vaccination is appropriate for you and answer any questions you may have.

Have this information available

Be prepared to tell the pharmacist about:

• Your allergies
• Your current medications
• Relevant health conditions
• Previous vaccine reactions
• Vaccines you have recently received
• Whether you are currently feeling unwell
• Any questions or concerns about vaccination

Bring any identification, health information or documentation requested during the booking process.

Required documentation may vary by province, pharmacy and vaccination program.

What should I wear?

Consider wearing clothing that allows the pharmacist to reach your upper arm easily.

What if I am feeling unwell?

Contact the pharmacy before your appointment if you have cold, flu or other respiratory symptoms.

The pharmacy team can advise whether you should attend, reschedule or take additional precautions. Government of Canada guidance recommends informing your health-care provider before an upcoming vaccination appointment if you have cold or flu symptoms.

During your appointment

Before administering the vaccine, the pharmacist will review relevant health information, discuss the vaccination and provide an opportunity for you to ask questions.

You may wish to ask:

• Which influenza vaccine is being offered?
• Is this vaccine appropriate for my age?
• What side effects might I experience?
• What should I do if I feel unwell afterward?
• Am I eligible to receive another vaccine today?
• Where can I access my vaccination record?

The answers may depend on your age, health, provincial recommendations and the vaccines available at the pharmacy.

Can I receive another vaccine during the same visit?

You may be able to receive another vaccine during the same visit as your flu shot. This will depend on the vaccines recommended for you, your age, health, provincial eligibility and vaccine availability.

A pharmacist or another health-care provider can help determine which vaccines may be recommended and appropriate for you.

After your flu shot

Most people can return to their regular activities after receiving a flu vaccine.

Follow the after-care instructions provided by the pharmacist. Vaccination providers generally ask patients to remain nearby for at least 15 minutes after vaccination so they can monitor for rare immediate reactions.

What side effects can occur after a flu shot?

Common temporary side effects may include:

• Soreness, redness or swelling where the vaccine was given
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Muscle or joint aches
• Chills
• Mild fever

These effects usually last from a few hours to a few days.

Speak with a pharmacist or another health-care provider if you have questions about managing common side effects.

What should I avoid after a flu shot?

There is no general list of foods or routine daily activities that everyone needs to avoid after receiving a flu shot.

Follow the after-care instructions provided by the pharmacist. If you are not feeling well, adjust your activities accordingly.

Before taking medication to manage side effects, speak with a pharmacist or another health-care provider, particularly if you have health conditions, allergies or take other medications.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe or unusual symptoms.

Common questions about the flu shot

Does the flu shot make you sick?

The flu shot cannot cause influenza. Some people experience temporary side effects after vaccination, including soreness where the vaccine was given, tiredness, headache, muscle aches, chills or a mild fever. These effects are generally mild and go away within a few days.

Can you get sick from the flu shot?

You cannot get influenza from the flu shot. It is possible to experience temporary side effects as the body develops an immune response. It is also possible to be exposed to influenza or another respiratory virus before or shortly after vaccination. The body generally needs about two weeks to develop its best protection after receiving a flu vaccine.

Does the flu shot weaken your immune system?

No. The flu vaccine does not weaken your immune system. It works with your immune system to build protection against influenza.

Does the flu vaccine protect against every respiratory illness?

No. The flu vaccine is designed to protect against seasonal influenza. It does not protect against illnesses caused by other respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 and RSV.

Can I get a flu shot if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

Influenza vaccination is recommended during pregnancy. The Government of Canada identifies pregnant individuals as a group for whom flu vaccination is particularly important because pregnancy can increase the risk of serious flu-related illness. Speak with a pharmacist or another health-care provider if you have questions about vaccination during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Can children get a flu shot at a pharmacy?

The flu vaccine is recommended for most children six months of age and older. However, the minimum age at which a pharmacist may administer the vaccine differs by province. Select your province and pharmacy to view available appointment options, or contact the pharmacy to confirm eligibility before booking.

Is your vaccination record up to date?

Vaccination is important throughout life, not only during childhood or flu season.

Protection from some vaccines can decrease over time. The vaccines you may need can also change based on your age, health, occupation, travel plans and previous vaccination history.

Some adults may have missed a vaccine or need an additional dose or booster. Staying up to date helps protect you and can reduce the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases to people who may be more likely to become seriously ill.

Other vaccines to discuss with a health-care provider

Depending on your age, health, vaccination history and individual risk factors, a health-care provider may recommend vaccines for illnesses such as:

• COVID-19
• Respiratory syncytial virus, also called RSV
• Pneumococcal disease
• Shingles
• Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis
• Hepatitis A or B
• Human papillomavirus, also called HPV
• Measles, mumps and rubella
• Meningococcal disease
• Varicella, also called chickenpox
• Illnesses associated with travel

Some vaccines are routinely recommended, while others may be recommended based on age, travel, occupation, health conditions or other individual factors. Provincial eligibility, public funding and pharmacy availability vary across Canada.

Not sure which vaccines you may need?

Bring your vaccination record, if available, and speak with a pharmacist or another health-care provider.

They may ask about your:

• Age
• Health conditions
• Medications or treatments
• Previous vaccinations
• Pregnancy
• Work or living environment
• Travel plans

This information can help the health-care provider identify which vaccine recommendations may apply to you.

Vaccine recommendations, eligibility, public funding and pharmacist administration vary by province. Vaccine and administration fees may apply. Subject to vaccine and pharmacist availability.

Find a flu shot appointment near you

Use the Walmart Pharmacy booking platform to find a pharmacy and view available flu vaccination appointments.

1. Choose your province or enter your location
2. Select a Walmart Pharmacy
3. View available flu shot appointments
4. Select an appointment and provide the requested information

Find a flu shot appointment · Find a Walmart Pharmacy

Information you can trust

This page was developed using Canadian public-health and immunization guidance. Recommendations may change as new evidence and updated public-health guidance become available.

Speak with a pharmacist or another health-care provider if you have questions about your health, your vaccination history or which vaccines may be appropriate for you.

Information reviewed: August 2026

Sources

1. Government of Canada: Get your flu vaccine
2. Canadian Immunization Guide: Influenza vaccines
3. Government of Canada: Vaccination for adults
4. Government of Canada: Vaccine safety and possible side effects
5. Ontario: Flu vaccination information