COVID‑19 Vaccine Program

Overview

The COVID-19 vaccine program offers free COVID-19 vaccines to people ages 6 months or older who live, work or attend school in Ontario.

Pharmacies with a valid Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP) agreement can opt in to participate in the COVID-19 vaccine program and administer vaccines to the public when applications reopen in the spring.

Program timing

Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine program has transitioned to an annual program, similar to the Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP).

In the fall

Individuals 6 months of age or older and those who have not started or completed their primary series are recommended to finish their primary series.

All other individuals 6 months of age or older are recommended to receive 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

General populations

All individuals (6 months of age and older) who do not belong to the high-risk or priority populations described below may receive COVID-19 vaccine dose(s) in the fall, starting on October 27, 2025.

High-risk and priority populations

The following individuals should receive COVID-19 vaccine dose(s) and a flu shot as soon as they become available in the fall (ahead of October 27):

• Individuals at increased risk of COVID-19 disease including:
  • adults 80 years and older
  • adult residents of long-term care homes and other congregate living settings for seniors
  • individuals 6 months of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (due to specific a underlying condition or treatment)
  • individuals 55 years and older who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis and their non-Indigenous household members who are 55 years and older
• Individuals at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure or severe COVID-19 disease including:
  • residents in long-term care homes and other congregate living settings who are aged 17 years and under
  • pregnant women
  • individuals from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities who are aged 54 years and under
  • members of underserved communities
  • health-care workers and other care providers in facilities and community settings as per NACI
• Individuals who would benefit from co-administration with influenza vaccine including:
  • children 6 months to 4 years of age
  • individuals with significant exposure to birds or mammals through interactions with birds or mammals (such as poultry, livestock, slaughterhouse and processing plant workers, wildlife officers/researchers, and veterinarians)

Further information on high-risk and priority groups and timing is available in the health-care provider fact sheet.

In the spring

The specific high-risk populations listed below may start or complete their primary series in the spring if needed or, if they have completed their primary series, should receive an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the spring:

• adults 80 years and older
• adult residents of long-term care homes and other congregate living settings for seniors
• individuals 6 months of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (due to specific underlying condition or treatment)
• individuals 55 years and older who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis and their non-Indigenous household members who are 55 years and older

Individuals who are not included in the specific high-risk populations can begin or complete their primary series in the upcoming fall season.

Contact information

Contact your local public health unit for questions regarding vaccine storage and handling, vaccine ordering or local distribution.

Disclaimer

If you require this information in an alternative format, please contact infoline.moh@ontario.ca. We will:

• acknowledge your request within 3 business days
• provide you with the content within 15 business days