Flu shots will be available for Ontario residents starting in November

TORONTO — The Ontario government says residents of the province can start getting their annual flu shot next month.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones said colder weather means an increase in respiratory illnesses and people should get flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

Flu shots will be available from health care providers, public health units and participating pharmacies starting Nov. 1.

The government also says people aged 12 to 17 can receive a bivalent COVID-19 booster dose from Monday if they have received their main round of COVID-19 vaccines.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Kieran Moore says vaccinations for COVID-19 must be kept up to date as vaccines improve immune response and reduce risk of severe illness, hospitalization and post-infection symptoms .

The province made the bivalent vaccine available to all adults last month.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on October 13, 2022.

The Canadian Press