Flu shot availability

Free flu shots will be available starting on October 27, 2025 for everyone 6 months of age and older who lives, works or goes to school in Ontario.

Starting in late September, high-risk and priority populations may get their flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine as supply becomes available in hospitals, long-term care homes, and other congregate care settings, followed by primary care providers and participating pharmacies.

Availability may vary. Call ahead to ensure your provider has supply before going.

Talk to a health-care provider about co-administration for COVID-19 and flu, as well as RSV for those who are eligible.

Overview

The flu is a contagious virus that anyone can get. It can be serious and can result in a hospital stay and serious complications, especially among seniors and young children. Getting your free flu shot is the best way to keep you, your family, and your loved ones safe and healthy during the flu and respiratory illness season.

The flu shot is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. It is:

  • safe (including for kids and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding)
  • free for people who live, work, or study in Ontario
  • proven to reduce the number of doctor visits and hospitalizations related to the flu

Learn more about symptoms of respiratory illness and the tools available to help you and your family stay protected.

For additional information from a health-care professional 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, visit Health811 online or call  811. You do not need a health card and all your information is confidential.

When to get the flu shot

Getting your flu shot is the best way to remain protected against the most severe outcomes of infection, including hospitalization caused by the flu.

Flu season typically runs from late fall to early spring. To keep you and your loved ones protected, it is recommended to get the updated flu vaccine each fall as the flu virus changes frequently.

The flu shot takes approximately 2 weeks to take full effect. Don’t take any unnecessary risks with your health. Get the flu shot as soon as it becomes available to you.

General population

Everyone aged 6 months of age and older who lives, works or goes to school in Ontario may receive a flu shot starting on October 27, 2025.

It is recommended that people in the following groups receive their flu shot as soon as it is available to them, on or after October 27:

  • people who provide essential community services
  • people who might spread the flu to high-risk populations and/or to infants
  • care providers in the community
  • household contacts (adults and children) of people at high risk of influenza related complications
  • people who provide care to children 4 years of age or younger
  • members of a household expecting a newborn during the influenza season
  • those who provide services within a closed or relatively closed setting to people at high risk of influenza related complications (such as ship crews)

High-risk and priority populations

If you are a part of any of the following groups, you may receive your flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they become available in the fall (before they become available to everyone 6 months and older on October 27, 2025):

  • populations at high-risk of infection
  • staff and care providers in congregate living settings (such as chronic care facilities, long-term care homes, retirement homes)
  • health care workers
  • first responders
  • members of underserved communities
  • people whose occupational or recreational activities increase their risk of exposure to avian influenza A viruses
  • people with significant exposure to birds or mammals are more likely to have significant exposure to influenza A(H5N1) (such as poultry, livestock, slaughterhouse and processing plant workers, wildlife officers/researchers, and veterinarians)
    • Seasonal influenza vaccines do not provide protection against infection with influenza A(H5N1) viruses. However, they may reduce the risk of seasonal human and influenza A(H5N1) virus co-infection and possible viral reassortment leading to a human-transmissible virus with pandemic potential.

Flu vaccines may be given at the same time as, or at any time before or after, administration of other vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines for those aged 6 months of age and older, and the RSV vaccine (for eligible high-risk adults aged 60–74 and all adults aged 75 and older). Talk to a health-care provider or pharmacist to learn more.

Where to get the flu vaccine

6 months to under 2 years old

Children 6 months up to 2 years old can only get their flu shot from a doctor, nurse practitioner or local public health unit. Children under 2 years old cannot get a flu shot at a pharmacy.

2 to 64 years old

Children as young as 2 years of age can get their flu shot at a participating pharmacy.

65 and older

Learn more about the types of flu shots available for those 65 and older.

Who is high risk

Complications from the flu can include serious conditions, like pneumonia or heart attacks and, in some cases, death. Although the burden of influenza can vary from year to year, flu is estimated to cause about 12,200 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths in Canada each year.

Some people are more vulnerable to infection or serious complications and hospitalization from the flu. The following groups should get their flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they become available in the fall:

  • residents in congregate living settings (such as chronic care facilities, long-term care homes, retirement homes)
  • adults 65 years of age and older because their immune systems are weaker, and they are more likely to have an underlying condition that increases their risk
  • all pregnant people because their immune system, heart and lungs change – especially later in pregnancy – making them more likely to get seriously ill from the flu
    • Infants under 6 months old are too young to get the flu shot, but they'll get some protection if their parent got the flu shot while they were pregnant
  • all children 6 months to 4 years of age because their immune systems are developing, and their airways are small and more easily blocked
  • people in or from First Nations, Métis or Inuit communities
  • people 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

Flu shot types available for those 65 and older

For the 2025–2026 season, if you're 65 and older, 3 different flu shots are available:

  • The standard-dose vaccine that protects against 3 strains of flu virus.
  • The adjuvanted vaccine that protects against 3 strains of flu virus and contains an adjuvant (a substance added to a vaccine that helps the recipient develop an improved immune response).
  • The high-dose vaccine, that protects against 3 strains of flu virus, but in higher doses.

According to expert recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) either the adjuvanted vaccine or the high dose vaccine is recommended for seniors aged 65 and older over the standard dose vaccine, if available.

It is important for seniors to get a flu shot and any of the available influenza vaccines would be preferable to remaining unvaccinated. All 3 flu vaccine types are safe, effective and offer strong protection to seniors.

Talk to your doctor, nurse practitioner, pharmacist or public health unit about which option is best for you.