Flu shots in Ontario rolling out in September, COVID booster expected to arrive soon

The Ford government announced its plan Thursday for rolling out flu shots and outlined when the new COVID-19 booster will arrive in Ontario.

Health officials say flu shots will be available in September for vulnerable high-risk Ontarians, including those hospitalized, hospital staff, residents and staff in long-term care homes, followed by those in retirement homes and other congregate settings.

Flu shots for the general public, aged six months and older, will be available starting on Oct. 30 at doctor and nurse practitioner offices, some public health units, and participating pharmacies.

As for Moderna’s updated COVID-19 booster, the province says it expects to start receiving doses later in September but initial doses will be prioritized for high-risk populations. Health officials will release more details on the rollout once the doses arrive in Ontario.

Earlier this week, Health Canada approved Moderna’s new Spikevax vaccine, which is formulated for the XBB.1.5 lineage of the Omicron variant, for those six months of age and older.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s (NACI) latest advice is that adults and children as young as five should get one dose of the new vaccine this fall if it has been at least six months since their last dose or their most recent COVID-19 infection.

NACI said children between six months and four years of age should get one dose if they have been vaccinated for COVID-19 before, but two doses if they haven’t.

Moderna said the first doses would be shipped to arrive in Canada on Sept. 13, with more arriving over the next month.

“COVID-19 activity is rising with new variants circulating and other seasonal respiratory illnesses are expected early this year,” Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, stated in a release.

“Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations, get an annual flu shot when it becomes available, stay home when you feel sick, wash your hands often and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and consider wearing a mask, particularly if you are at high risk.”

Health officials say it is safe receive the flu and COVID-19 booster shots at the same time.

The province says it is also launching its first publicly-funded vaccination program of the RSV vaccine for adults age 60 and over living in long-term care homes, elder care Lodges, and for some retirement home residents.

Ontario is planning to allow pharmacists to give the RSV vaccine, when available. The province says this proposed change would allow retirement and long-term care homes to hire pharmacists to administer the vaccine on site, so that vulnerable populations can get their dose without leaving their home.

With files from The Canadian Press