FLUZONE
Inactivated influenza vaccine (split virion)
0.5 mL · intramuscular · 6 months and older
Influenza
Influenza (flu shot)
FLUZONE · FLUZONE HIGH-DOSE · FLUAD · FLUCELVAX · FLUMIST · INFLUVAC
One dose every season; young children may need two the first time. Every product below is a Health Canada authorized vaccine; every schedule comes from the Canadian Immunization Guide.
- Products
- 7
- Dose schedules
- 2
- Guidance checked
- 2026-09-27
Authorized products
Brand names and DINs (Drug Identification Numbers) as Health Canada's Drug Product Database lists them. The product monograph is the manufacturer's full prescribing information approved by Health Canada.
FLUZONE
Inactivated influenza vaccine (split virion)
Intramuscular · 6 months and older
FLUZONE HIGH-DOSE
Inactivated influenza vaccine, high-dose
Intramuscular · 65 years and older
FLUAD
Inactivated influenza vaccine, adjuvanted
0.5 mL prefilled syringe · intramuscular · 65 years and older
FLUCELVAX
Inactivated influenza vaccine (cell-based)
Prefilled syringe · intramuscular · 6 months and older
FLUMIST
Live attenuated influenza vaccine
Nasal spray · 2 to 59 years
INFLUVAC
Inactivated influenza vaccine (subunit)
Intramuscular · 6 months and older
Before and after vaccination
- Bring your immunization record so earlier doses can be checked.
- Discuss a serious reaction to a previous vaccine, relevant health conditions, medicines and allergies before receiving a dose.
- After vaccination, stay where you can be observed for at least 15 minutes and report feeling faint or signs of an allergic reaction right away.
- Keep the vaccine name, date and dose in your immunization record.
Based on the Canadian Immunization Guide's administration practices and acute reactions guidance.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Pregnancy
Recommended at any stage of pregnancy. Use a non-live (inactivated) influenza vaccine; the live nasal spray (FLUMIST) is contraindicated in pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
Recommended. Either an inactivated vaccine or the live nasal spray may be used.
Source: Immunization in pregnancy and breastfeeding: Canadian Immunization Guide — Chapter updated August 2026. Live vaccines are generally contraindicated in pregnancy; routinely recommended vaccines can be given while breastfeeding unless the chapter says otherwise.
How many doses
The schedules the Canadian Immunization Guide describes for this vaccine. Which one applies depends on age, health and product — use the dose planner to see the dates for your situation.
Flu shot — child’s first flu vaccine ever (6 months to 8 years): two doses
2 dosesTwo doses at least 4 weeks apart in the first season a child is vaccinated.
Children 6 months to less than 9 years of age who have not previously received at least 1 dose of the seasonal influenza vaccine require 2 doses of influenza vaccine, with a minimum of 4 weeks between doses. In every later season, one dose is enough.
ProductsFLUZONEFLUZONE HIGH-DOSEFLUADFLUCELVAXFLUMISTINFLUVAC
Flu shot — one dose every season
1 doseOne dose each influenza season for everyone 6 months and older who has had a flu vaccine before, and for everyone 9 years and older.
Everyone 6 months of age and older should receive influenza vaccine every season. One dose per season, except children 6 months to 8 years receiving flu vaccine for the very first time, who need two. In pregnancy an inactivated (non-live) vaccine is used.
ProductsFLUZONEFLUZONE HIGH-DOSEFLUADFLUCELVAXFLUMISTINFLUVAC
References and product information
- Influenza vaccines: Canadian Immunization Guide — Chapter revised June 2026 · partial update August 2026
- Vaccine administration practices: Canadian Immunization Guide
- Anaphylaxis and other acute reactions: Canadian Immunization Guide
- Health Canada Drug Product Database — product records and monographs
- Pharmasist vaccine reference: FLUZONE — related brand reference; confirm the exact DIN
- Pharmasist vaccine reference: FLUMIST — related brand reference; confirm the exact DIN
Clinical rules reviewed on 2026-09-27. General information from public Canadian guidance; a personal assessment is needed for treatment decisions. Care365 does not decide whether a vaccine is publicly funded in Ontario.