Primary care providers continue to be critical for promoting vaccinations during respiratory season. Updated key messages for each respiratory vaccine include:
Flu:
- Influenza vaccine is readily available for ordering once auto-shipment supplies have been used. Toronto providers can continue to order flu vaccines from Ontario Government Pharmacy.
- Everyone aged 6 months and older should receive their flu shot as soon as they are eligible.
- Some evidence is showing that the flu vaccine is not a perfect match for circulating strains. Patients should be reminded that each year multiple strains spread, and even when the vaccine is not a perfect match, it still strengthens protection and helps prevent serious illness and hospitalization.
COVID-19:
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are on backorder, but Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are available.
- These vaccines are interchangeable, and everyone aged 6 months and older should receive their COVID-19 vaccine.
- Order COVID-19 vaccines by enrolling in TPH’s COVID-19 vaccine program and placing orders online at COVIDVaccineOrder.ca.
RSV:
- RSV vaccine products for infants and older adults are both available for ordering through the Ontario Government Pharmacy.
- Infants up to eight months of age and high-risk children under two years old should get their RSV dose to get protection before RSV activity begins, OR, individuals between 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy can get the RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) in consultation with their health care provider. RSV immunizations for infants are also available at Toronto Public Health breastfeeding clinics for infants up to eight months old.
- Older adults aged 75+ should receive one dose of free RSV vaccination. Those who received a vaccine last year do not need another dose. Older adults aged 65-74 can purchase the vaccine with a prescription from a health care provider and have it administered by their primary care provider or a pharmacist.
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