Protect yourself: Get your flu vaccine

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is recommending that residents aged 6 months and older get their annual flu vaccine as soon as possible this flu season. OPH is anticipating an active respiratory illness season with influenza (flu), COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) circulating in the community at the same time. The flu can cause serious illness and can result in complications and hospitalizations, especially for older adults and young children. Getting an annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from the flu. Starting October 15, 2024: Participating local pharmacies will begin to offer flu vaccines to individuals at high risk of flu-related complications. These individuals include:

• Children under 5 years of age, because their immune systems are developing, and their airways are small and more easily blocked;
• Adults 65 years old and older, because their immune systems can be weaker, and they are more likely to have an underlying condition that increases their risk.
• Residents, staff and care providers of congregate living settings (such as chronic care facilities, retirement homes).
• Pregnant individuals, because their immune system, heart and lungs change – especially later in pregnancy – making them more likely to get seriously ill from the flu.
• People with underlying health conditions, such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes.
• Members of First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities.
• Members of racialized and other equity deserving communities.
• First responders and health care workers.
• Individuals with significant exposure to birds or mammals, such as poultry, livestock, slaughterhouse and processing plant workers, wildlife officers/researchers, and veterinarians.

Starting October 21, 2024: OPH Community Clinics and Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs will offer the flu vaccine for eligible high risk and priority populations who face barriers to access, including:

• Children aged 6 months to under 2 years and their household members (note: children 2 and older are directed to pharmacies for their annual flu vaccine).
• High-risk individuals facing significant barriers to access, such as newcomers without OHIP and children 2 to 5 years of age who have tried to access the vaccine through another provider.

Starting October 28, 2024: all individuals 6 months of age and older who live, work, or go to school in Ontario are eligible for the flu vaccine through local pharmacies and healthcare providers.  Updated COVID-19 vaccines will also be available for everyone. There are many options for getting your annual flu vaccine

• Pharmacies continue to be the main point of access for annual flu vaccines, including in rural areas to eligible individuals in Ottawa. Contact your nearest pharmacy today. Please note that pharmacies cannot vaccinate children under 2.
• Check with your regular health care provider to see if they offer flu vaccines. 
• OPH Community Clinics and Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs will offer flu vaccines to eligible individuals by appointment (for our clinics) and on a drop-in basis (for our hubs). Learn more and book an appointment at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Flu  

Increase your protection this season by getting both your flu and updated COVID-19 vaccine at the same time Flu vaccines may be given at the same time as, or at any time before or after administration of other vaccines, including the updated COVID-19 vaccine, for people aged 6 months of age and older. Speak with your health care provider or pharmacist to learn more about co-administration. Updated COVID-19 vaccines are currently  available in Ottawa to individuals at highest risk. Starting October 28, 2024, updated COVID-19 vaccines will also be available to the general public. OPH will offer co-administration this season to eligible individuals in OPH Community Clinics and Neighbourhood and Wellness Hubs. Ottawa Public Health monitors respiratory virus trends, including the flu, and provides regular updates on social media and at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/FluReport. For more information on respiratory illness, including prevention and where to seek care, please visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/RespVirus. You can also connect with OPH on Facebook, X and Instagram.  For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram