The cooler, shorter days and changing leaves are hallmarks of autumn, but they also signal the beginning of the annual fall respiratory illness season in Ontario.

Grey Bruce Public Health encourages residents to protect themselves this fall by getting the updated, publicly funded COVID-19 vaccine and this season’s flu shot as soon as they become available this month.

“Vaccination remains the best defence against severe complications from COVID-19 and the flu,” says Monica Blair, Manager of GBPH’s Vaccine Preventable Diseases program.

“The updated COVID-19 vaccine and this season’s flu shot can be given at the same appointment – saving you time. These vaccines are safe and effective at safeguarding you and your loved ones from potentially serious respiratory viruses this fall and winter.”

Grey Bruce Public Health began receiving doses of the new KP.2-containing COVID-19 vaccine and this season’s influenza vaccine earlier this month.

The vaccines are initially being distributed to local hospitals, long-term care and retirement homes, and other congregate living settings to prioritize vaccinating patients, staff, and residents of those facilities. Public Health is also providing vaccine to primary care providers and pharmacies to allow for individuals in high-risk and priority populations, who are at greater risk for severe complications from influenza or COVID-19 illness, to be vaccinated.

The general public can receive this season’s COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot from their primary care provider or at a participating pharmacy starting Oct. 28, 2024.
GBPH will be holding vaccine clinics in November for children under 12 years of age who are unable to get vaccinated at a pharmacy or via a primary care provider. Appointments will be required and can be made starting in late October by calling 519-376-9420, Option 2.

A schedule of clinics will be available on GBPH’s website at the following link: Event Calendar. 

The Ministry of Health recommends that all adults and children six months of age and older get the updated flu vaccine each fall as the influenza virus changes frequently. The flu shot takes about two weeks to take full effect.

The Ministry of Health also recommends that all individuals six months of age and older receive the KP.2-containing COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it becomes available to them this fall.

Along with getting vaccinated, residents can protect themselves, their family members, and communities from respiratory illnesses by staying home when sick, cleaning hands and disinfecting high-touch surfaces frequently, and practicing coughing and sneezing etiquette.

Individuals unable to get influenza or COVID-19 vaccines through a primary care provider or participating pharmacy can call Grey Bruce Public Health’s Vaccine Preventable Diseases Team at 519-376-9420, Option 2, for assistance.