Medical Services

Flu Clinic

Winter is just around the corner and the forecast calls for a lot of snow and flu season. Now that we are back on campus, attending events and meeting friends, the risk of spreading influenza is much higher. 

It’s important to get vaccinated annually because the virus can mutate and change, and our immunity naturally wanes each year. 

The flu spreads easily from person to person and the flu shot is your best defence. Together with hand washing and sanitizing, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and staying at home when sick, you can help keep our campus community healthy.

The flu clinic is on campus from Oct. 16 to 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Wellness Services U216.

The clinic is open to all students, faculty and staff with no appointments required on a first-come, first-served basis. You must be 18 years of age and bring your provincial health care card. International students are also welcome with no health card required. Wellness Services will not be doing Covid 19 vaccines.

If you are unable to make these dates, consider visiting Wyckham Pharmacy to get your flu or Covid 19 vaccine at your convenience. 

MRU Injury & Prevention Clinic Massage Therapists will be offering free 5-minute seated massages while you wait to get vaccinated. 

FAQ

Yes. You can get the inactivated influenza vaccine (injection) at the same time or any time before or after other inactivated or live vaccines.

 

Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends that everyone six months of age and older get an influenza vaccine, with rare exceptions. Some people are at high risk of serious illness from influenza, such as children six months to less than five years of age, pregnant people, seniors 65 years and older and people with certain medical conditions. Vaccination is especially important for these people. Anyone who lives or goes to school in AB or is visiting AB can receive the flu shot.

No. The inactivated influenza vaccine (flu shot) cannot give you influenza. This vaccine contains killed influenza viruses that cannot cause infection.

Influenza viruses are constantly changing. Each year, the viruses used to make the vaccine change to protect you against the viruses circulating that year. The protection from the influenza vaccine declines over time, which is why it's important to get your flu vaccine every year.