Learn more about vaccines for flu, RSV and covid-19, including eligibility and availability in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties.
COVID-19 vaccination is not available through HPEPH at the current time. Please do not contact us to inquire about vaccine availability. Some high-risk individuals may be eligible for the vaccine through your health care provider or at participating pharmacies, beginning September 30. COVID-19 vaccination will become available to the general public later this fall.
RSV vaccine
RSV is a major cause of lower respiratory illness that affects the lungs and airways. Although the virus usually causes mild illness with cold-like symptoms, it can lead to more serious illness for infants, young children, older adults and those with underlying health conditions such as asthma, chronic heart or lung disease and a weakened immune system.
The Ontario government has expanded its RSV program to protect more high-risk populations during the 2024/2025 respiratory season. Starting in mid to late October, RSV immunization will be available to infants and toddlers who are:
- Up to twelve months of age, and
- High-risk toddlers between 12 and 24 months of age experiencing:
- chronic lung disease of prematurity (CLD), including bronchopulmonary dysplasia or chronic lung disease
- hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease (CHD)
- severe immunodeficiency
- Down Syndrome or Trisomy 21
- cystic fibrosis with respiratory involvement and/or growth delay
- neuromuscular disease
- severe congenital airway anomalies impairing the clearing of respiratory secretions
If you are not sure if your child is eligible, please contact to discuss eligibility criteria.
- residents of long-term care homes, Elder Care Lodges, or retirement homes
- patients in hospital receiving alternate level of care (ALC) including similar settings (for example, complex continuing care, hospital transitional programs)
- patients receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
- recipients of solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplants
- those experiencing homelessness
- those who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis
- efficacy (how well it works)
- duration of protection
- safety profile of the monoclonal antibody, Beyfortus®
- recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI)
You must be a resident of Ontario to be eligible for the publicly funded program.
If you are unsure about criteria, please contact your HCP or call us to discuss or book at appointment at https://www.hpepublichealth.ca/clinic/immunization-clinic/
Flu (influenza) vaccine
Even healthy children and adults can become seriously ill with the flu. The Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP) offers influenza vaccine free of charge each year to all individuals 6 months of age and older who live, work, or go to school in Ontario.
Vaccination against influenza continues to be important this fall given the potential for the co-circulation of other respiratory diseases (such as COVID-19). Preventing the flu is important to:
- protect individual health and the health of families and communities
- protect and mitigate impacts on our health care system
Influenza immunization will be prioritized and vaccination may begin as soon as vaccine is available for in early October for high risk individuals;
- hospitalized individuals, hospital staff, and care providers
- long-term care home (LTCH) residents, staff and care providers
- residents, staff, and care providers in retirement homes and other congregate living settings
- individuals at high-risk for flu related complications or hospitalization
- health care workers
- first responders
- individuals with significant exposure to birds or mammals, such as poultry, livestock, slaughterhouse and processing plant workers, wildlife officers/researchers, and veterinarians
Vaccination to begin on October 28, 2024 for:
- general population (including the 2 particularly recommended groups)
Please contact your HCP provider or go to a participating pharmacy for your flu vaccination. HPEPH will be immunizing children 5 years and under starting at mid-late October.
COVID 19 vaccine
Read all of Ontario’s vaccination eligibility and recommendations to help protect us against COVID‑19. COVID -19 vaccine will be offered to high risk individual in early to mid fall.
- Participating primary care providers
- Participating pharmacists
Availability
COVID-19 vaccines will be administered to priority populations before it becomes available to the general public. See the table below for a schedule.
COVID-19 vaccine clinics
There are currently no scheduled COVID-19 vaccine clinics.
| Week of Sept 30, as soon as vaccine is available | • hospitals and long term care facilities • retirement homes, congregate living settings • health-care providers who provide care for high-risk populations High risk and priority populations, including: • individuals 65+ • those who are pregnant • First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities • members of racialized and other equity-deserving communities • those with underlying medical conditions that places them at higher risk of severe COVID-19, including children with complex health needs |
| Oct 28 | General population |
Out of Province Vaccinations
If you received any dose of a COVID-19 vaccination in a different province/out of Canada, please submit your COVID-19 immunization records for out of Ontario vaccination. Note that it may take up to two weeks for your information to be reviewed, approved and registered in the Ontario Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Management System (COVax). Hastings Prince Edward Public Health will contact you once your information has been entered and successfully processed.
