Ontario Launches Fall Vaccination Season for High-Risk Groups Ahead of October Public Rollout
Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتساب
Ontario is beginning the first phase of its fall immunization program during the week of September 28, 2026, making free flu and COVID-19 vaccines available first to high-risk and priority populations before opening access to the general public later in October.
The first groups include hospitalized patients, hospital staff, residents and staff of long-term care and retirement homes and other congregate settings, as well as people aged 65 and older. Initial vaccine supplies are being prioritized for hospitals, long-term-care homes and other congregate settings before wider distribution to primary-care providers and participating pharmacies.
For influenza, other high-risk groups include pregnant people, children aged six months to four years and people with certain underlying medical conditions, while health-care workers and first responders are among the priority populations able to receive the vaccine as supplies become available.
Beginning October 26, anyone aged six months or older who lives, works or attends school in Ontario will be eligible to receive free flu and COVID-19 vaccines through participating pharmacies, public health units and participating physician and nurse-practitioner offices.
Ontario is also continuing its expanded RSV prevention program, which covers adults aged 75 and older, as well as people aged 60 to 74 who meet certain high-risk criteria or live in designated higher-risk settings. Eligible residents can receive the Abrysvo or Arexvy RSV vaccines throughout the year.
Starting October 1, eligible newborns and infants up to eight months old in their first RSV season, along with high-risk children up to 24 months old in their second season, can receive Beyfortus immunization. Pregnant people also have the option of receiving Abrysvo to help protect their infants at birth.
