Ontario’s Minister of Health, Deb Matthews rolled up her sleeves Monday to kick off flu shot season.

She got her shot along with Ontario’s chief medical officer Dr. Arlene King at First Canadian Place.

The ministry of health has said the flu shot helps strengthen your body’s natural immune response against the flu by stimulating your immune system to build antibodies against the virus, making it stronger and ready to fight off the flu.

Meantime, the seasonal flu vaccine is now available from participating physicians and health care providers throughout Ottawa. Ottawa Public Health has distributed 73,630 doses of the influenza vaccine to local vaccine providers.

You can find a health care provider offering the flu shot near you at Ontario.ca/flu.

The flu vaccine becomes available at Ottawa Public Health clinics on Sat, October 27 until Sat. December 15. Click here for a full list of OPH clinics. (ottawaflu.ca/flu)