Ontario Expands Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Access for Entire Province

As Ontario prepares for another respiratory illness season, the government has made it possible for everyone six months and older to receive their flu and COVID-19 vaccines at participating pharmacies, public health units, and doctor and nurse practitioner offices across the province. This expansion aims to protect families and communities by getting everyone up to date with their flu and COVID-19 vaccines, which are free, safe, and effective.

The initiative emphasizes the importance of immunization in preventing serious illness and hospitalizations, particularly for vulnerable populations such as seniors, infants, and high-risk children. The free adult RSV immunizations, Abrysvo(r) 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.

Immunization remains one of the most powerful tools in preventing serious illness and hospitalizations. Getting your flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines, if eligible, this fall is safe, convenient, and helps protect our most vulnerable populations.

Key Takeaways:

• 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 the province.
• The COVID-19 and flu vaccines are free, safe, and effective, and are recommended annually each fall to protect against currently circulating strains of respiratory illness.
• Immunizations help prevent infection and reduce the severity of illness if you do become sick.
• The free adult RSV immunizations, Abrysvo(r) or Arexvy, are available and recommended to everyone 75 years of age and older.
• Pregnant women have the option to receive the RSV vaccine Abrysvo(r) to protect infants at birth.
• Eligible newborns, infants, and high-risk children can receive the Beyfortus(r) immunization through public health units and primary care providers.
• There are additional steps that can be taken 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.

Statistics:

• The number of Ontarians eligible to receive the COVID-19 and flu vaccines has expanded to include everyone six months and older.
• According to the Ontario government, 75% of adults received a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine in 2023, up from 68% in 2022 (Source: Ontario Government).
• The province has expanded free RSV immunization to everyone 75 years of age and older, in addition to eligible high-risk groups aged 60+.
• The number of Ontarians who can receive the free adult RSV immunizations has increased to include those 75 years of age and older.

Sources:

• Ontario Government: To receive protection from currently circulating strains of respiratory illness, it is recommended you get the COVID-19 and flu vaccines annually each fall.
• Ontario Government: 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.
• Ontario Government: 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.
• European Medicines Agency (EMA): Abrysvo (prescribing information).
• Bayer Website: Arexvy (product information).