Up-to-date immunizations will help protect against respiratory illnesses

To protect Ontario families and communities during respiratory illness season, everyone six months and older can now receive their flu and COVID-19 vaccines at participating pharmacies, public health units and doctor and nurse practitioner offices across Ontario.

“Getting immunized is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself, your loved ones and our communities,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “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. 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 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
• High-risk children less than 24 months of age

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.

“Immunization remains one of the most powerful tools in our toolbox to prevent serious illness and hospitalizations,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “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.”

Immunizations in Ontario’s routine immunization schedule are provided free of charge if you meet the eligibility criteria. If you are unsure about which immunizations you or your family have received or are eligible for, talk to a health-care provider or your local public health unit.

Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is providing people with the tools they need to keep themselves and their loved ones safe and healthy.

.

Quick Facts

To receive protection from currently circulating strains of respiratory illness, it is recommended you get the COVID-19 and flu vaccines annually each fall.

Immunizations help prevent infection and can help reduce the severity of illness if you do become sick.

While immunization is the best way to protect yourself and others from respiratory illness, there are additional steps you can take to help keep yourself, your friends, family and your community healthy, including washing your hands often, covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, cleaning surfaces and shared items regularly, and staying at home when sick.

Children under 2 years old cannot get a flu shot at a pharmacy and not all pharmacies choose to administer COVID-19 vaccines to younger age groups such as those less than 5 years old. Public health units and primary care providers may offer additional options for vaccination for children 6 months to under 5 years old.

The province recently expanded free RSV immunization to everyone 75 years of age and older, in addition to eligible high-risk groups aged 60+. Free RSV immunization is available to protect eligible infants less than 8 months of age at the time of immunization and high-risk children less than 24 months of age. There is also the option to receive immunization during pregnancy to protect infants at birth.

Talk to a health-care provider about co-administration of COVID-19 and flu vaccines, and for RSV if you are eligible. Currently, pharmacies do not administer free RSV immunizations as part of Ontario’s publicly funded immunization program.

Availability of immunizations may vary across providers. Call ahead to ensure your provider has supply before going.

Visit Health811 online or call 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007 toll free) for free health advice and information 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

.

Additional Resources

• To learn more about the flu shot, visit Ontario.ca/flu
• To learn more about COVID-19, visit Ontario.ca/covidvaccines
• To learn more about Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), visit Ontario.ca/rsv
• To learn more about protection from respiratory illness: Ontario.ca/protection-respiratory-illnesses
• Learn about eligibility for COVID-19 antiviral treatment
• Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care
• Vaccines for Children at School

~ Image by Ali Raza from Pixabay