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Flu shots to become available for Ontario residents starting in November

Health ministry encouraging folks to get both the flu vaccine and the new bivalent COVID-19 booster
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A needle and syringe used to administer the flu shot in shown in Virgil, Ont., Monday, October 5, 2020. The Ontario government says residents in the province can start receiving their annual flu shots next month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tara Walton

TORONTO — The Ontario government says residents in the province can start receiving their annual flu shots next month.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones says colder weather means an increase in respiratory illnesses, and people should get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19.

Flu shots will be available through health care providers, public health units and in participating pharmacies beginning Nov. 1. 

The government also says those aged 12 to 17 can receive a bivalent COVID-19 booster dose as of Monday if they have received their primary COVID-19 vaccine series. 

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore says COVID-19 vaccinations should be kept up to date because vaccines improve the immune response and reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and post-infection symptoms. 

The province made the bivalent vaccine available to all adults last month.  

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2022.

The Canadian Press


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