Anya - Influenza

Precautions against COVID-19 also worked against the flu. In the 2020-2021 flu season, just 73 cases of influenza were reported, significantly lower than the average of 51,942 seen over the previous six years.

Anya gets a flu shot every year. As a freelancer, she knows that sick days can lead to loss of income, plus she wants to keep her children safe.

Anya works from home and doesn’t feel she needs to get the flu vaccine if she’s not seeing people every day.

There’s a lot going on in Anya’s house. In between work projects, she makes meals for her children, does chores around the house and takes care of all their pets. When she’s particularly busy with work, she has a cleaning lady and a dog walker to help her out.

Anya has had a busy day out of the house and doesn’t feel very well. She goes to bed early and wakes up the next morning with a fever, headache and cough. Anya got the flu shot, but based on her symptoms, it’s likely she's caught influenza A.Anya, who did not get a flu shot, is initially surprised to have caught influenza because she works from home. But when she thinks about it more, she realizes she is exposed to many people through her work and family activities.

Flu Fighters@HealthECanada
The National Advisory Committee on Immunizations recommends that everyone over six months should get an age-appropriate flu vaccine each year. Ask your healthcare provider for details.
#flufacts #gettheshot

OCT 29

People with flu are most contagious in the first

3-4

days after their illness begins.

When she does have some free time, Anya loves to volunteer at a local wildlife rescue. She has always loved animals of all kinds. It doesn’t matter if they’re furry or scaly — if they are in need, she’s happy to help out.

Anya has had a busy day out of the house and doesn’t feel very well. She goes to bed early and wakes up the next morning with a fever, headache and cough. Anya got the flu shot, but based on her symptoms, it’s likely she's caught influenza A.Anya, who did not get a flu shot, is initially surprised to have caught influenza because she works from home. But when she thinks about it more, she realizes she is exposed to many people through her work and family activities.

Flu Fighters@HealthECanada
Stay safe! If you get the flu, stay home, get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. Call your doctor or nurse practitioner if you don’t start to feel better after a few days or your symptoms get worse.
#getwellsoon #flufacts

NOV 22

…it can also lessen symptoms and complications if you do catch the flu virus.

The flu vaccine can be up to 60% effective at preventing the flu…

Anya’s older son, Skylar, 5, just started karate classes on the weekends. On Saturday morning, the whole family piles in the SUV to take him to his class and cheer him on. He already has his yellow belt!

Anya has had a busy day out of the house and doesn’t feel very well. She goes to bed early and wakes up the next morning with a fever, headache and cough. Anya got the flu shot, but based on her symptoms, it’s likely she's caught influenza A.Anya, who did not get a flu shot, is initially surprised to have caught influenza because she works from home. But when she thinks about it more, she realizes she is exposed to many people through her work and family activities.

Flu Fighters@HealthECanada
Stay safe! If you get the flu, stay home, get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. Call your doctor or nurse practitioner if you don’t start to feel better after a few days or your symptoms get worse.
#getwellsoon #flufacts

DEC 16

…32% among adults aged 18 to 64, and 70% among people over 65.

In the 2020-2021 flu season, vaccine uptake in Canada was similar to the 2019-20 season…

Finding time to stay active is important to Anya. There’s a local running club that she tries to attend regularly, even in the winter months. She loves feeling the cold air on her face while she runs. When she gets home, she rewards herself with a hot mint tea.

Anya has had a busy day out of the house and doesn’t feel very well. She goes to bed early and wakes up the next morning with a fever, headache and cough. Anya got the flu shot, but based on her symptoms, it’s likely she's caught influenza A.Anya, who did not get a flu shot, is initially surprised to have caught influenza because she works from home. But when she thinks about it more, she realizes she is exposed to many people through her work and family activities.

Flu Fighters@HealthECanada
Influenza spreads easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing or face-to-face contact. Consider wearing a mask in public settings.
#staysafe #maskup

JAN 9

Women are 35% more likely than men to get the flu shot.

35%

About 36% of Canadians 18+ receive the flu vaccine every year.

36%

Anya’s sister lives just outside Winnipeg with her husband and three children. The two families get together at least once a month, whether for a potluck and games or for pizza and a good old-fashioned movie night. It’s often a little hectic, but always a lot of fun!

Anya has had a busy day out of the house and doesn’t feel very well. She goes to bed early and wakes up the next morning with a fever, headache and cough. Anya got the flu shot, but based on her symptoms, it’s likely she's caught influenza A.Anya, who did not get a flu shot, is initially surprised to have caught influenza because she works from home. But when she thinks about it more, she realizes she is exposed to many people through her work and family activities.

Flu Fighters@HealthECanada
You still need to get the vaccine even if you were already sick with the flu earlier in the year. If you had the flu in January, that doesn’t mean your body is resistant to the flu in October of the same year.
#routinevaccination #flufacts

FEB 2

The national target is 80%.

37% of those aged 18 to 64 with medical conditions get the flu shot.

Anya and Marc feel it’s important to have some time to themselves, so every Thursday night they book a date night. Sometimes they just go for dinner, sometimes they visit an art gallery, and occasionally they go see a play. They are fortunate to have a teenage neighbour they trust to watch the kids.

Anya has had a busy day out of the house and doesn’t feel very well. She goes to bed early and wakes up the next morning with a fever, headache and cough. Anya got the flu shot, but based on her symptoms, it’s likely she's caught influenza A.Anya, who did not get a flu shot, is initially surprised to have caught influenza because she works from home. But when she thinks about it more, she realizes she is exposed to many people through her work and family activities.

Flu Fighters@HealthECanada
Don’t delay! You can still get the flu shot if you are sick, unless you have a high fever.
#NotAllBugs #AntibioticsWontHelpTheFlu

MAR 1

How often did Anya get the flu?

35%

with the flu shot

70%

without the flu shot

The results are updated based on interactions with this choose-your-own-adventure activity and do not reflect medically accurate statistics. Statistics shown throughout the adventure are based on fact. See more on our sources page.

Getting the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of flu illness by between 40% and 60%.

Anya made it through flu season without contracting the flu! Anya contracted the flu! Head back to the start to try a different character and see if your results change.