Who should get this vaccine

Your healthcare provider may recommend the avian influenza vaccine for you if:

• You work in a lab and have contact with the avian influenza virus. This could be people who work in animal diagnostic labs.
• You work with birds or other animals with avian influenza.

Who may not be able to get this vaccine

You may not be able to get this vaccine if:

• You have an allergy to any part of the vaccine, except eggs. If you have an allergy to eggs, you can safely get this vaccine. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any allergies you may have.
• You had a severe (serious) or unusual side effect after this vaccine or one like it.

If either of these apply, check with your healthcare provider or public health nurse before you get the vaccine to make sure it’s safe for you.

Although you can get this vaccine if you have a mild illness, such as a cold or fever, it’s best to stay home until you feel better to prevent spreading your illness to others.

Doses

You need 2 doses, at least 3 weeks apart.

If you have any health conditions that affect your nervous system (brain, spinal cord, nerves), talk to your healthcare provider about when you can get this vaccine.

Get the vaccine

If you are eligible to get avian influenza vaccine, you can get it for free at your local public health or community health centre.

Avian influenza and other vaccines

You need to wait 6 weeks between the avian influenza vaccine and any other vaccine.

If you had another vaccine in the last 6 weeks, ask your public health nurse about when you can get the avian influenza vaccine.

How well it works

The avian influenza vaccine is the best way to lower your risk of avian influenza and its related health problems.

This vaccine can also help prevent you from spreading avian influenza to others.

Safety

Vaccine safety is a top priority. Canada uses extremely safe vaccines. Learn more about vaccine safety in Canada, including how vaccines are monitored for continued safety, and ingredients in vaccines.

Side effects

There can be side effects from the avian influenza vaccine, but they tend to be mild and go away in a few days.

Side effects may include:

• redness where you had the needle that may look red on lighter skin or purple on darker skin
• swelling or feeling sore where you had the needle
• headache
• feeling tired or getting upset easily
• a fever or chills
• body aches or sore joints
• not feeling hungry or not wanting to eat (poor appetite
• feeling sick to your stomach (nausea) or loose stool (diarrhea)
• sweating

At least 1 out of 100 people who got this vaccine reported 1 or more of these side effects. In some cases, it is unknown if the vaccine caused these side effects.

It is important to stay at the clinic for 15 minutes after your vaccine. Some people may have a rare but serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. If anaphylaxis happens, you will get medicine to treat the symptoms.

It is rare to have a serious side effect after a vaccine. Call Health Link at 811 to report any serious or unusual side effects.

How to manage side effects

• To help with soreness and swelling, put a cool, wet cloth over the area where you had the needle.
• There is medicine to help with a fever or pain. Check with your healthcare provider if you are not sure what medicine or dose to take. Follow the directions on the package.
• Some people with health problems, such as a weak immune system, must call their healthcare provider if they get a fever. If you have been told to do this, call your healthcare provider even if you think the fever is from the vaccine.

There can be mild, short-term side effects after getting a vaccine. Find tips to manage these side effects at home.