Influenza Vaccine clinics are offered at APH during the Fall and Winter

Ontario’s Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP) offers free influenza vaccine each year for individuals six months of age and older who live, work, or go to school in Ontario.  The influenza vaccine is the best defence against getting and spreading the influenza virus, helping to save lives and reduce the strain on our health care system.

All individuals in the COVID-19 and UIIP high-risk and priority groups are eligible for both vaccines as soon as available. Everyone who is eligible for COVID-19 early vaccination (prior to general population) is also eligible for early influenza vaccination.

High-Risk Populations for Early Immunization

To protect individuals at the highest risk of influenza-related complications, the following individuals are recommended to receive the vaccine as soon as it becomes available in the fall (mid-October): 

•    Residents in congregate living settings (e.g. chronic care facilities, long-term care homes, retirement homes)
•    Adults 65 years of age and older
•    All pregnant individuals
•    All children 6 months to 4 years of age
•    Individuals in or from First Nations, Métis or Inuit communities
•    Individuals with underlying health conditions
•    Individuals who work in hospitals or long term care homes

General Population 

Individuals who do not belong to one of the high-risk groups above should still receive the flu vaccine when it becomes available to them (late October).

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding 

Influenza vaccination is recommended during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. The vaccine may be given during any trimester of pregnancy. Vaccination during pregnancy also provides antibodies to the baby, helping protect infants during the first months of life when they are too young to receive influenza vaccine themselves.

Where Can I Get a Flu Shot?

Flu season runs late fall to early spring, and vaccination is recommended each fall when the updated vaccine becomes available.

• Participating pharmacies
  • Individuals 2 years of age and older

Pharmacies that offer COVID-19 vaccines also offer flu vaccines. Use the COVID-19 pharmacy locator to find a pharmacy near you.

• Primary healthcare providers (Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner)
  • Individuals 6 months of age and older.
• Algoma Public Health
  • Individuals 6 months of age and older without a primary healthcare provider
  • Book an appointment at Algoma Public Health

Here are some basic facts about the flu vaccine:

• The flu vaccine is designed to protect against the types of influenza predicted to be circulating each season. Protection from the flu vaccine lasts for about 6 months. That is why it is important to receive a flu vaccine each fall.
• It takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to build protection in your body.
• Side effects include soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given. Some people may get a fever, chills, or muscle/joint pain lasting 1-2 days. Headache and tiredness can also occur. The flu vaccine does not cause the flu.
• No vaccine is 100% effective. It is still possible to get the flu after vaccination, but the symptoms tend to be milder.
• The vaccine does not protect against other illnesses that have symptoms like influenza.
• The flu vaccine is safe and effective.

Why Get the Flu Shot?

Influenza can cause serious illness and complications, even in healthy people. Vaccination helps protect you and those around you, particularly people at higher risk of severe illness.

• Influenza viruses change frequently, and protection decreases over time, so vaccination is recommended each year.
• Vaccination can reduce influenza-related illness, hospitalizations and deaths.

Stay Healthy During Flu Season

• Get your annual flu shot.
• Wash your hands regularly.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Avoid close contact with others when you are ill.

If You Get the Flu

Stay home, rest and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid close contact with people at higher risk of serious illness.

Speak with a health care provider if your symptoms are severe, getting worse, or if you are at higher risk of complications.

COVID 19 is a respiratory illness that can be mild or serious, with common symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, trouble breathing, muscle aches, and feeling very tired, some people may also have vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain.

If you are experiencing symptoms, see COVID-19 testing and treatment information.

COVID-19 vaccine program

It’s recommended that you wait for the fall to receive your next dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This timing will provide the strongest protection during the peak season for COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses.

The initial supply of vaccines for COVID-19 will be available for high-risk and priority groups who live, work or study in Ontario, starting in mid-October 2026. This includes: 

• Hospitalized patients
• Hospital staff 
• Residents and staff in long-term care homes, retirement homes and other congregate living settings
• Individuals aged 65 years and older

Starting later in October, free flu and COVID-19 shots will be available to everyone over the age of 6 months at participating pharmacies, participating doctor and nurse practitioner offices, and APH. Visit Ontario’s vaccine location finder to find a participating pharmacy. 

Some people at higher risk should also get an extra dose in the spring, between April and June.

You do not need an Ontario health card, and your citizenship or immigration status does not matter.

Getting your COVID-19 vaccine every year helps protect you from getting very sick or needing to go to the hospital. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.

For more information go to Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine website.

RSV is a common virus that affects the lungs and airways. It can cause cold-like symptoms and serious infections like pneumonia and bronchiolitis. The risk of severe outcomes from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is higher among infants, children under 24 months of age with certain medical conditions, and older adults. In recent years, Ontario has introduced RSV prevention programs intended to prevent RSV in these groups.

Infant, High-Risk Children and Maternal RSV Prevention Program:

There are two options, available free of charge, to help prevent RSV infection and complications in infants and high-risk children:

• A monoclonal antibody (Beyfortus®), given to eligible infants and high-risk children just prior to or during RSV season.
• Eligibility criteria: All infants born on or after April 1, who are less than 8 months of age may receive Beyfortus®. Children between 8-24 months of age with certain underlying health conditions are also eligible.
• A vaccine (AbrysvoTM) given during pregnancy.  
  • This vaccine may be administered to pregnant individuals between 28-36 weeks gestation. The RSV protection the pregnant individual receives will be shared with the infant so they are protected after birth.
• It is usually not necessary to receive both products, but it is recommended:
  • If the infant is born less than 2 weeks after AbrysvoTM was administered.
  • If the infant was born before 37 weeks gestation.
  • If the infant has certain underlying health conditions.

The RSV season is generally from November 1 to March 31, with regional variation across Ontario and between years. To ensure the best protection, Beyfortus® or AbrysvoTM should be administered shortly before or during the active RSV season.

Beyfortus® and AbrysvoTM can be received at Doctor and Nurse Practitioners offices, Midwives and public health clinics. Beyfortus® can also be given in the hospital after a baby is born.

Learn more about RSV prevention for children.

Adult RSV Prevention Program

The RSV vaccine for adults is available year-round for those who have not received a dose previously. This vaccine can be administered outside the RSV season as it is a single dose, with no booster doses currently recommended. The following people are eligible for a dose:

• All individuals 75 years of age and older
• Individuals 60 to 74 years of age who meet one of the following criteria:
  • residents of long-term care homes, Elder Care Lodges, or retirement homes including similar settings (i.e., co-located facilities)
  • individuals of a hematopoietic stem cell transplant within the past two years or with ongoing immunosuppression
  • individuals on home oxygen or requiring chronic oxygen therapy, regardless of residence
  • in hospital receiving alternate level of care (ALC), complex continuing care, or in hospital transitional programs
  • has glomerulonephritis (GN) and is moderately to severely immunocompromised
  • receives hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
  • experiencing homelessness
  • identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis

Please contact your health care provider to receive the vaccine. If you do not have a health care provider, you can access a walk-in clinic or book an appointment at Algoma Public Health.

Note: If you have received the RSV vaccine previously, you do not need another dose.

Don't qualify for the free vaccine?

You can still get the RSV vaccine with a prescription from your doctor or nurse practitioner. Some private insurance plans may cover the cost. The vaccine is not available for purchase at Algoma Public Health.

Learn more about the RSV vaccine program for adults.