COVID-19 and Flu

COVID-19 and the flu vaccines continue to be available at pharmacies and select doctors’ offices and pharmacies . When booking an appointment on a pharmacy website, you can filter by age group.

The Novavax XBB.1.5 vaccine is now available at our community clinics for individuals 12 years of age and over. Appointments are required and can be booked online.

Children 6 Months to 5 Years of Age

We are now offering COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 Months to Under Four Years of Age at our community vaccination clinics. Appointments are required and can be booked online. Children under two can also get their COVID-19 vaccine at some doctors’ offices and select pharmacies. The flu vaccine is available to children under two at doctors offices. We recommend you call in advance to confirm.

Children two to four years of age can get their COVID-19 and flu vaccine at some doctors’ offices and select pharmacies. We recommend you call in advance to confirm. You can locate your nearest pharmacy using the Province’s locator map.  A health card is not needed to get your COVID-19 and flu vaccines at a pharmacy.

Homebound COVID-19 Vaccinations

Learn how to access a COVID-19 vaccine if you are homebound.

Indigenous-led COVID-19 Clinics

First Nations, Métis and Inuit individuals, including non-Indigenous partners and household members, are encouraged to contact Indigenous-supported clinics .

School-Based Vaccines

Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires that students be vaccinated against nine designated diseases or have a valid exemption. You can receive these vaccines at your doctors’ offices. If you do not have a health care provider please contact Health Care Connect  for information and assistance.

The Meningococcal (required under ISPA or have a valid exemption),  Human Papillomavirus and Hepatitis B vaccines are available to students in grade 7 and 8 through the School Immunization Program (SIP). TPH continues to work with school boards and administrators to host vaccination clinics at schools.

TPH is hosting community vaccination clinics for students to catch-up on any missing vaccines. Appointments are required and can be booked online.

Students in grades 9 to 12 can also get these vaccines through our community clinics or through their doctors’ offices. Physicians can order the vaccine directly from public health.

People Without Family Doctors

If you have a valid OHIP card, you can call and find out if the flu and/or COVID-19 vaccines are being offered at a local pharmacy or walk-in clinic. You can also find a family doctor or nurse practitioner who is accepting new patients.

People Without OHIP/Insurance

You can reach out to a Community Health Centre (CHC) to receive health services. We recommend calling in advance to confirm vaccination services are available. Some pharmacies provide COVID-19 vaccination to people without an OHIP card. We recommend you call before you go to make sure.

  • Please review the screening questionnaire , stay home if you are feeling sick and get your vaccine at a later date when you are feeling better
  • If you have been advised to self-isolate because you were in close contact with someone with an infectious disease, please get your vaccine at a later date, when your isolation period is over
  • If you received a Canada approved first dose of COVID-19 outside of the province, please ensure this is documented through Toronto Public Health’s online portal before getting your second dose
  • Prepare for a short wait that may include time lining up outdoors
  • Review information about the clinic you are visiting, including directions, parking and accessibility
  • Make sure that you eat before attending the clinic

What to bring:

  • Your OHIP card, if you have one
    • A health card is not needed
    • However individuals 18 or older need to bring some form of identification
    • Acceptable forms of identification include government-issued ID (including non-Canadian and expired documents) such as a driver’s licence or passport, a piece of mail with your name on it, a pay stub or a student card
  • If you are nervous about the vaccination, bring something to help distract you, such as a mobile device, headphones for music or a book
  • Your mobility device, if you use one
  • One support person, if needed
  • Face mask or covering
  • Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing
  • Water

What to expect when you are getting your vaccine:

  • You must wear a face mask or covering at the clinic
  • Clinic staff will answer any questions you may have and get your consent for the vaccination
  • Let clinic staff know if you’ve fainted in the past or are anxious about getting vaccinated
  • Let clinic staff know immediately if you feel unwell at any point
  • You need to stay at the clinic for 15 minutes after you receive the vaccine to monitor for any reactions
  • After 15 minutes, you will get a receipt confirming that you received the vaccine
  • The entire process will take about 30 minutes

Tips for a comfortable experience:

Needle fear is common in people of all ages, and some people may experience pain or discomfort when getting their vaccine because of the needle. Consider using the comfort, ask, relax, distract system to feel more comfortable when getting your vaccine:

  • Comfort: Find ways to be comfortable, such as wearing a short sleeve top and relaxing your arm
  • Ask: Ask questions so you can feel prepared
  • Relax: Find ways to keep yourself calm, such as taking deep breaths
  • Distract: Distract yourself by talking to someone or listening to music

After you receive your vaccine:

  • Let your health care provider know that you were vaccinated
  • If you have a reaction to the vaccine, call your health care provider or Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600
  • Keep the receipt provided by clinic staff for your records