Ontario’s Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP) offers free influenza vaccine each year for individuals six months of age and older who live, work, or go to school in Ontario. The influenza vaccine is the best defence against getting and spreading the influenza virus, helping to save lives and reduce the strain on our health care system.
All individuals in the COVID-19 and UIIP high-risk and priority groups are eligible for both vaccines as soon as available. Everyone who is eligible for COVID-19 early vaccination (prior to general population) is also eligible for early influenza vaccination.
High-Risk Populations for Early Immunization
The following individuals are at increased risk of influenza-related complications or are more likely to require hospitalization and should receive the influenza vaccine as soon as it becomes available in the fall:
- Residents in congregate living settings (e.g. chronic care facilities, long-term care homes, retirement homes)
- Adults 65 years of age and older
- All pregnant individuals
- All children 6 months to 4 years of age
- Individuals in or from First Nations, Métis or Inuit communities
- Individuals 6 months of age and older with the following underlying health conditions:
- Cardiac or pulmonary disorders
- Diabetes mellitus or other metabolic disease
- Cancer
- Conditions or medication which compromise the immune system
- Renal disease
- Anemia or hemoglobinopathy
- Neurologic or neurodevelopment conditions
- Class 3 obesity (body mass index of 40 or more)
- Children and adolescents (6 months to 18 years) undergoing treatment with acetylsalicylic acid for long periods
To optimize co-administration with COVID-19 vaccine, the following individuals may receive influenza vaccine as soon as it becomes available in the fall:
- Staff and care providers in congregate living settings (e.g. chronic care facilities, long-term care homes, retirement homes)
- Health care workers
- First responders
- Members of underserved communities
- Individuals whose occupational or recreational activities increase their risk of exposure to avian influenza A viruses (Individuals with significant exposure to birds or mammals are more likely to have significant exposure to influenza A(H5N1) through interactions with birds or mammals)
All individuals (6 months of age and older without contraindications) who do not belong to the high-risk or priority populations described above may receive the influenza vaccine starting on October 27, 2025.
I'm Healthy, Why Should I Get the Flu Shot?
Here are a few important reasons:
- Improves your chances of staying healthy during the flu season.
- Reduces the chance your friends or family will get sick.
- The virus changes every year. Getting this year’s shot gives you the best protection.
- Reduces your chances of missing time from work or special events.
- The flu virus lives on surfaces you touch.
Are you a health care or emergency worker?
- You have a high risk of passing the virus to vulnerable people, even if you don’t feel sick.
- Get the flu shot to protect yourself, your coworkers, and those you serve in our community.
Here are some basic facts about the flu vaccine:
- It takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to build protection in your body.
- The flu vaccine does not cause the flu.
- Even if you get the flu after receiving vaccine, the symptoms tend to be milder.
- The vaccine does not protect against other illnesses that have symptoms like influenza.
- The flu vaccine is safe and effective.
What’s the big deal about the flu?
- Even very healthy people can become quite ill, missing up to 5-7 days of work.
You could pass the virus to someone who is at high risk for getting very sick with the flu, or for a complication of the flu like pneumonia, such as a pregnant individual, a baby, someone with an underlying health condition, or an older relative.
Ways to Stay Healthy During the Flu Season
- Get your flu shot. It will protect you, as well as your family and friends.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds or a hand sanitizer (gel or wipes) with at least 70% alcohol.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick with the flu.
- Clean (and disinfect) surfaces often (for example, countertops, door handles, keyboards and telephones). Viruses can live on surfaces for 24 to 48 hours.
- Don't touch your face as the flu virus can enter your body through your eyes, nose or mouth.
What if you get the flu?
If you get the flu, take these steps to speed up your recovery and to prevent sharing the "bug" with others:
- Stay home from work or school when you are sick.
- Keep surfaces clean.
- Sneeze or cough into a tissue or upper sleeve, not your hands.
- Dispose of tissues immediately after use.
- Wash your hands often.
- Get lots of rest.
- Speak to your doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacist about over-the-counter medications that can help you feel better (such as basic pain or fever relievers), but do not give acetylsalicylic. acid (ASA or Aspirin®) to anyone under 18 years old.
- Treat muscle pain using a hot water bottle or heating pad - apply heat for short periods of time.
- Take a warm bath.
- Gargle with a glass of warm salt water or suck on hard candy or lozenges.
- Use spray or saline drops for a stuffy nose.
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine and tobacco.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Don't be a visitor in a hospital, or a long-term care facility.
- Avoid close contact with infants, pregnant women, and people over the age of 65, and those with chronic health problems. Anyone in these groups can catch the flu easily.
Call your doctor or nurse practitioner if:
- You don't start to feel better after a few days.
- Your symptoms get worse.
- You are in a high-risk group and develop flu symptoms.
Page last updated September 18, 2025
