Flu and COVID-19 vaccines available for all residents

Written By Wilson Lo

Protect yourself against influenza (flu) and COVID-19 by getting your vaccines

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get the annual flu vaccine and the updated KP.2-containing COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. OPH is anticipating an active respiratory illness season with flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) circulating in the community at the same time. Flu↗ and COVID-19↗ vaccines are particularly recommended for people at high risk of severe illness.  

Effective October 28, 2024, flu vaccines and the updated COVID-19 vaccines are available for all residents. There are many options for getting your flu and updated COVID-19 vaccine: 

To book your appointment for the updated COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 vaccine appointments at OPH Community Clinics can be booked through the Ontario COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007). 

To book your appointment for your annual flu vaccine

Flu vaccine appointments at OPH Community Clinics can be booked through the Ottawa Public Health website↗. 

To book the RSV antibody immunization appointment for your infant

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat, and lungs resulting in cold-like symptoms. RSV infection can happen at any age but is particularly severe in infants, often leading to serious lung infections requiring hospitalization. RSV immunization appointments, for eligible infants and children↗, can be booked through the Kids Come First webpage↗.

For more detailed information, please review the Public Service Announcements on the updated COVID-19 vaccine↗, the annual flu vaccine↗ and the provincial RSV prevention program↗.

Respiratory Virus Prevention 

Ottawa Public Health wants to remind Ottawa residents that there are simple and effective ways to help protect yourself, your families and our communities against respiratory illness. Using the following layers of protection helps keep everyone safe:  

  • Stay home when sick until you are fever-free (without using fever-reducing medication AND your symptoms have been improving for 24 hours (or 48 hours for vomiting/diarrhea)

  • Wash your hands (or use hand sanitizer) often and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands

  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze

  • Disinfect high-touch surfaces in your home and workplace 

  • Keep your vaccinations up to date, including getting your annual flu vaccine↗ and your updated COVID-19 vaccine↗  

  • Avoid visiting people at high-risk of severe illness when you are sick (including people living in long-term care, retirement homes or in hospital)

  • Wear a mask:  

  • To protect yourself from viral respiratory illnesses

  • To protect others at higher risk of severe respiratory illness 

  • When you’re recovering from illness

Rapid Antigen Test Kits

Rapid Antigen Test Kits are no longer provided to Ottawa Public Health for distribution by the province. The Ontario Ministry of Health announced a new COVID-19 testing strategy which focuses on the testing of individuals who are highest risk and are eligible for COVID-19 treatment↗. For more information on who is eligible for publicly-funded testing, where to access testing, and what treatments are available, please visit the provincial website COVID testing and treatment↗.  

For information on what to do if you believe you have COVID-19, see the provincial site↗ for more tailored advice.  

For more information on respiratory illness, including fall vaccines, please visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/RespVirus↗, or call 613-580-6744 and follow the prompts for immunization support.  

Wilson Lo
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