Ontario health ministry is providing vaccines to protect against respiratory illnesses such as flu and COVID-19
Ontario is working to make it easier for people to get immunized against respiratory diseases now that we are heading into the fall flu season.
The province said families and individuals can check in at local pharmacies, public health units, doctors and nurse practitioner offices across the province to get updated influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.
“Getting immunized is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself, your loved ones and our communities,” said Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones.
“As we head into respiratory illness season, I encourage everyone to stay up to date with their flu and COVID-19 vaccines, which are free, safe, effective and available across the province.”
Staying up-to-date with your routine and recommended immunizations is the best way to protect yourself and your community this fall and winter, said the ministry. Getting both the COVID-19 and the flu vaccines at the same time is safe and recommended to avoid multiple trips to a health-care provider.
The importance of immunizations to the collective health of the wider community was endorsed by Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health.
“Immunization remains one of the most powerful tools in our toolbox to prevent serious illness and hospitalizations,” said Moore. “Getting your flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines, if eligible, this fall is safe, convenient, and helps protect our most vulnerable populations. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the free vaccines available across the province.”
The provincial push for immunizations is similar to the campaign by the Sudbury health unit earlier this month, encouraging families in this part of the North to get up-to-date vaccine protection for COVID and flu as well as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),
The health ministry said free adult RSV immunizations, Abrysvo or Arexvy, are also available and recommended to everyone 75 years of age and older, building on last year’s expansion of the RSV prevention programs that also include:
- Certain high-risk adults aged 60+ such as residents of long-term care homes or retirement homes;
- Infants less than eight months of age born April 1 or after; and
- High-risk children less than 24 months of age.
The health ministry added that pregnant women have the option to receive the RSV vaccine Abrysvo, which can help provide protection to infants at birth. Alternatively, eligible newborns, infants and high-risk children can receive the Beyfortus immunization.
Booking appointments; COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are available at many locations throughout the community. You can make an appointment to receive the vaccine with your health care provider, at a walk-in clinic, or at a participating pharmacy (See the Ministry of Health listings).
