COVID‑19 Vaccine Program
Find information for health-care providers on the COVID-19 vaccine program for the current respiratory illness season.
This information is intended for health-care professionals. Find more information about COVID-19 and how to access vaccination.
COVaxON decommissioning
Effective March 13, 2026, the COVID-19 immunization system, COVaxON, is being decommissioned.
All COVID-19 vaccine providers will continue to record patient and vaccine product information for COVID-19 vaccines in COVaxON until March 13, 2026.
Starting in April 2026, providers will record COVID-19 vaccines in Panorama Guided Workflow.
We will provide organizations participating in the COVID-19 vaccine program more information on required next steps for accessing and using Panorama Guided Workflow.
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.
Applications open in the spring for pharmacies to participate in the next respiratory illness season.
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.
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
- Adults aged 65 to 79 years may receive an additional dose in the spring. Certain individuals in this age group are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease and would benefit from doses in the fall and spring.
- 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.
Guidance documents for health-care providers, immunizers and vaccine clinics
| Document title | Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Health care provider fact sheet: COVID‑19 Vaccine | Information for health-care providers administering COVID‑19 vaccines | October 3, 2025 |
| COVID‑19 Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidance | General and unique guidance for handling, storage, and transport of COVID-19 vaccines | September 12, 2025 |
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