Influenza (Flu) Vaccines

All individuals 6 months of age and older who live, work, or go to school in Ontario are eligible for the flu vaccine. 

All individuals in the high-risk and priority groups should receive Flu vaccine dose(s) as soon as it becomes available in the fall.

Important: Ottawa Public Health (OPH) immunization service criteria have evolved in recent years. OPH clinics are for children under 5 (and their household members) and newcomers without OHIP who are not serviced by pharmacies or have limited access to primary care. For the majority of the population, pharmacies or your primary care provider are the main providers of these vaccines. 

Starting mid-October OPH will begin offering influenza vaccine to specific high-risk individuals through local community clinics and Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs.

Find the vaccination options available to you based on your age, household, OHIP status, or accommodation needs.

I live in a house where all household members are 5 years old or older

• Pharmacies
• Participating Health Care Provider

I live in a house with a child between 2 and 5 years old

• Pharmacies
• Participating Health Care Provider
• Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs*
• Ottawa Public Health Vaccination Clinics*

I live in a house with a child under 2 years old

• Participating Health Care Provider
• Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs*
• Ottawa Public Health Vaccination Clinics*

I do not have OHIP

• Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs*
• Ottawa Public Health Vaccination Clinics*

I am a client with a medical or disability-related need who cannot be seen by a pharmacist or family doctor and require accommodation (e.g., extra time with a nurse, a quieter or private space)

• Contact the Ottawa Public Health Contact Centre at 613-580-6744 and speak to a Public Health Nurse about clinic options.

*If you don’t meet OPH criteria, you will be redirected to another community option for vaccination.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies are the primary way that residents in Ottawa and throughout Ontario access the flu vaccine. It is recommended that all residents reach out to their local pharmacy to get their vaccine this fall. Please contact your local pharmacy, prior to visiting, to check vaccine availability.

Visit the Ministry of Health Pharmacy Vaccine Locator to find a pharmacy near you.

Participating health care providers

Some primary care providers offer flu vaccines, check with your regular health care provider to see if they offer the flu vaccine. 

Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs

Ottawa Public Health offers flu vaccination to eligible clients facing significant barriers to accessing the immunization in the community which are children aged 6 months to under 5 years of age (including their immediate family and household members), and newcomers without OHIP. 

Visit the Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs page for information on hub locations, and hours.  

Ottawa Public Health Vaccination Clinics

Ottawa Public Health Clinics offers flu vaccines to the following clients facing significant barriers to accessing the flu vaccine in the community:
•    Children aged 6 months to under 5 years of age (and their immediate family and household members);
•    Newcomers without OHIP;
•    Clients 5 years and older with medical or disability related needs who cannot be seen by a pharmacist or family doctor and require accommodation to make the experience possible and positive (e.g. Extra time with a nurse, a quieter or private space)

This year all flu vaccines protect against 3 strains of the flu virus (two type A strains and 1 type B strain). This is a change from previous flu seasons where 4 strains were included. This aligns with recommendations nationally and globally, as the additional type B vaccine strain, included in previous flu seasons, has not be detected in over 5 years. 

6 months and older - Trivalent Inactivated Vaccines (TIV): 

• Flucelvax^®
• Fluviral^®
• Fluzone^® 

65 years and older - Adjuvanted Trivalent Inactivated Vaccine (TIV-Adj): 

• Fluad^®

65 years and older - High-Dose Trivalent Inactivated Vaccine (TIV-HD):

• Fluzone^® High-Dose

Children six months to under nine years of age who have never had a flu vaccine in their life require two doses of the flu vaccine, given at least four weeks apart. Children six months to less than nine years or anyone older who received one or more doses of seasonal flu vaccine in the previous year, should receive one dose of flu vaccine per season thereafter. 

Older Adults: The TIV-HD (Fluzone^® High-Dose) and TIV-adj (Fluad^®) are the recommended influenza vaccines for adults 65 years of age and older. There is no preferential recommendation for the use of TIV-HD versus TIV-adj vaccine for this age group. If these products are not available, do not delay vaccination. All the available flu vaccines protect people 65 years old and over. The most important thing is for older adults to be vaccinated. 

The earlier you get the vaccine, the better your chances of preventing the flu. The flu is a serious viral infection that can lead to severe complications. Protect yourself, your family, and high-risk groups in your community by getting vaccinated.

Vaccination offers the best protection. While the vaccine may not always prevent infection, it still offers strong protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and complications.

What is the flu?

The flu, or seasonal influenza, is a common sickness that spreads easily. It affects your nose, throat, and lungs. You can catch the flu from tiny droplets when someone with the flu coughs or sneezes. You can also get it by shaking hands with someone who has the flu or by touching surfaces with flu droplets and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Symptoms of the flu

• Sudden fever or feeling very hot
• Cough and/or sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Headache or body aches
• Chills
• Feeling more tired than usual
• Lower appetite
• Some people, especially kids, might also feel sick to their stomach, vomit, or have diarrhea

Preventing the flu

Get vaccinated: The flu vaccine helps your body fight off infection. It can prevent the flu or reduce the severity of symptoms. Each year, the vaccine is updated to protect against the most likely flu strains.

Protect yourself and others

• Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
• Disinfect high-touch surfaces in your home and workplace.
• Wear a mask:
• To protect yourself from viral respiratory illnesses.
• To protect others at higher risk of severe respiratory illness.
• When you’re recovering from illness.

How serious is the flu?

Complications from the flu can include serious conditions, like pneumonia or heart attacks and, in some cases, death. The flu is estimated to cause about 12,200 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths in Canada each year.