The Influenza vaccine (the flu shot) begins to provide protection within 1-2 weeks and the protection usually lasts several months. The flu shot reduces the chance of getting influenza and can help reduce the length and severity of the illness. It will not protect against other illnesses that resemble the flu such as the common cold or Covid-19. The flu shot does not cause influenza.
Most patients do not have side effects after the flu shot. The shot is given into a muscle and this may cause soreness at the injection site for a few days. Occasionally, a person may experience mild fever, redness, swelling or achiness for a few days after the shot. If you experience persistent fever, redness, swelling or weakness, please contact our office.
Ontario Influenza information can be reviewed here.
To learn about the publicly-funded influenza vaccines that are available in Ontario for the
2023-2024 season please click here.
For an excellent summary outlining the various symptoms of the flu, common cold and covid-19, click here.
The 2023 flu season will soon be here in Ontario. As per national and provincial guidelines, all healthy individuals 6 months and older are recommended to obtain the flu shot.
Public Health will distribute a limited quantity of vaccines to our office for all patients who are at high risk. This includes:
For our high risk patients, we will be holding our annual drive-through flu shot clinics BY APPOINTMENT ONLY in the parking lot of our building on the following dates between 9am and 1pm:
To book a drive-through flu shot appointment, please log in to your Medeo account and click BOOK. Select your doctor’s name and click next. Select the appointment type: DVMA – Flu Shot and click next, then choose the date and time and click next. On the next screen you must enter the reason for your appointment - flu shot. If you plan to bring another DVMA patient in the car, please also enter their name in this field, maximum of 2 patients per car. On the next screen you will be able to review the appointment you are requesting, then click request. You will receive an email from Medeo confirming your appointment request. Once our office has confirmed your appointment, you will receive a separate confirmation email from Medeo.
Please be sure to follow the arrival instructions below.
Please review the Flu Shot Consent form below before requesting a flu shot appointment. If you answer yes to any of the questions 1-6, please call our office to book an appointment with your doctor to discuss your flu shot eligibility. If you answer no to questions 1-6, please proceed to request your flu shot appointment. There is NO NEED to print the consent form and bring it with you as we will review it verbally at check-in.
If you are symptomatic with COVID-19, you are required to be symptom free for 24 hours (48 for gastrointestinal manifestations) before receiving a flu shot. Please be advised that a face covering is mandatory for all car occupants.
High risk individuals who cannot attend one of these clinics and all other patients will be able to book an in office flu shot appointment for time slots in November and December 2023. These appointments will be made available for booking on Monday, October 30, 2023 via Medeo or with a receptionist. When requesting these appointments on Medeo, please select DVMA Injection Clinic from the list of providers rather than your doctor’s name. Flu shots will not be administered without an appointment.
Please note this year the flu shot will be also be available at most pharmacies for all individuals age 2 and older, including high dose flu shots for 65 and older.
Please notify us if you receive your flu shot outside of our office by leaving a message on extension 234 so we can update your medical record.
Please arrive on time for your appointment. Please do not arrive early as we have spaced the appointments to avoid long lines.
Upon arrival in your car at the flu shot clinic, please take a ticket from the parking machine to enter the parking lot and follow the signs to the west entrance of the covered parking area for check-in. There will be no fee for parking.
You must be in a vehicle to receive your shot. PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES. Masks are mandatory for all vehicle occupants.
Once you have received your flu shot, you may proceed to the exit. Scan the parking ticket you took to exit.
Don Valley Medical Associates
1333 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 144, North York, Ontario M2J 1V1
Phone: 416-491-5900 Fax: 416-491-1149
Copyright © 2020 Don Valley Medical Associates - All Rights Reserved.
Don Valley Medical Associates is happy to announce the launch of Online Appointment Requests with Medeo! Click here to request an appointment.