These six months are all within flu season with the peak of illness usually occurring in February. In Canada, the flu results in an average of 20,000 hospitalizations and 4,000 deaths every year. Influenza viruses can change rapidly. That’s why there is a new flu shot made every year to protect against the changing virus. The 2012-13 vaccine protects against three strains of the seasonal influenza that are predicted to circulate this season, including H1N1. If you haven’t gotten sick yet, you can thank the flu shot. If you haven’t gotten a flu shot yet, you should think about getting it. read more