Vaccination is given on an annual basis, and is available through a Calgary Health Services local branch near you or through some family physicians' offices. If you are allergic to eggs, you should not receive the flu shot. You should also note that antibiotics do not kill viruses. Penicillin and most antibiotics work only against bacterial infections, such as strep throat, and not viral infections such as colds and flus. Both viruses and bacteria may produce similar symptoms, but they are very different, and do not respondthe same way to treatment.
Antibiotics attack the cell walls or other targets that are only found in bacteria.
Antibiotics have no effect on viruses, because the virus lacks the target. There seems to be an irresistible temptation to run to the doctor for antibiotics or simply to take something when we have a cold. By overusing these drugs, scientists believe that it will lead to the development of more and more bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. If this overuse becomes widespread, virulent strains of bacteria that don't respond to antibiotics will spread through the population. Take them for the full length of time recommended.