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COVID-19 and flu vaccines will be available for high-risk individuals and priority populations by mid October and for everyone six months of age and older starting October 26, 2026.
Vaccines are available at setting such as long-term care homes, and select pharmacies, community health centres, and participating primary care providers. COVID-19 vaccines are available by appointment at Toronto Public Health clinics for children 6 months to 4 years of age only.
Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines is important, for those at higher risk of getting very sick. It takes at least two weeks after getting vaccinated to be protected .
It is safe and convenient to get your COVID-19 vaccine at the same time, before or after a flu vaccine, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunization, or any other routine vaccines.
In December 2019, a novel coronavirus started an outbreak which led to a pandemic. Later, this novel coronavirus became known as COVID-19.
As cases of infection rose globally, public health measures were taken to reduce the spread and harm from infection, including physical distancing, masking, and vaccination. While the strategies work better together, vaccination is still the most effective protection against severe COVID-19. COVID-19 continues to spread each year, with new variants circulating. Vaccines are updated each year to provide protection from new circulating variants.
Free (publicly funded) COVID-19 vaccines are made available by the Ontario Ministry of Health. All publicly funded COVID-19 vaccines are considered to work the same and to provide the same protection .
Individuals who are unable to receive an mRNA vaccine can consider Nuvaxovid, a protein-based COVID-19 vaccine available this fall. Individuals should speak with their health care provider to determine if Nuvaxovid is the right option . Nuvaxovid will be available only at participating pharmacies.
Moderna and Pfizer vaccines can be used interchangeably as long as the one given is approved for the person’s age, unless a medical condition makes it unsafe to receive a specific vaccine.
The COVID-19 vaccine is available for high-risk individuals and priority populations once available in October and for everyone six months of age and older starting October 26, 2026.
It is safe and convenient to get your COVID-19 vaccine at the same time, before or after a flu vaccine, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunization, or any other routine vaccines.
Individuals in this group who are at a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure or severe COVID-19 disease are recommended to receive COVID-19 vaccine dose(s) as soon as it becomes available in the fall:
To help individuals receive both their COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time, the following individuals may receive their COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it becomes available in the fall:
Individuals belonging to high-risk population group 1 are recommended to receive two doses per year as noted above.
All other groups: high-risk population group 2 and priority populations are recommended to receive one dose each fall.
The general population may receive a dose each fall.
| Current Age | Health Status | Doses received prior to fall 2026 | # of eligible doses for the 2026/2027 vaccine program in the fall | Intervals between doses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 months to 4 years | Immunocompetent | 0 doses | 2 doses* | 8 weeks |
| 1 dose Moderna
|
1 dose* | 8 weeks | ||
| 1 dose Pfizer | 2 doses* | 8 weeks | ||
| 2 doses with ≥1 doses Pfizer | 1 dose* | 8 weeks | ||
| 2 doses both Moderna | 1 dose | 3 months^ | ||
| ≥3 doses, Pfizer and/or Moderna |
1 dose |
3 months^ |
||
| ≥5 years | 0 doses | 1 dose* | N/A | |
| 1 dose at ≥5 years | 1 dose | 3 months^ | ||
| 1 dose at <5 years | 1 dose* | 8 weeks | ||
| ≥2 doses | 1 dose | 3 months^ |
* Dose(s) required to complete the primary series
^ Minimum intervalNote: eligible dose(s) can be received in the fall of 2026. Regardless of whether the fall dose(s) (i.e., primary series or the 1 dose) are given, doses are not required in the spring of 2027 Individuals are recommended to be vaccinated during the next annual COVID-19 vaccine program (i.e., 2027/2028) to ensure optimal protection against circulating strains.
| Current Age | Health Status | Doses received prior to fall 2026 | # of eligible doses for 2026/2027 vaccine program | Intervals between doses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≥18 years | Immunocompetent | 0 doses | 1 dose* and
1 additional dose |
3 months^ |
| 1 dose | 1 dose and
1 additional dose |
3 months^ | ||
| ≥2 doses | 1 dose and
1 additional dose |
3 months^ |
* Dose(s) required to complete the primary series^ Minimum intervalNote: Eligible dose(s) that should be received in the fall 2026 and the additional dose which is given in the spring 2027. If the dose(s) (i.e., primary series or the 1 dose) are not given in the fall then the dose(s) should be given in the spring, however the additional dose would not be required.
Receiving a vaccine is important for individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
*COVID-19 vaccine administration for children six months to four years of age may vary. Contact the pharmacy to confirm availability if applicable.
**TPH clinics are for children 6 months to 4 years of age only
If you are a resident of Toronto and received a dose outside of Ontario and/or Canada and want to have your COVID-19 vaccine dose documented in Ontario provincial database, please complete Toronto Public Health’s online form. You can view and download your COVID-19 vaccination history through Immunize Connect Ontario (ICON) online portal.
If you need assistance documenting your COVID-19 vaccine or if you are not able to provide proof of your vaccination, please call Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 (TTY: 416-392-0658).
The vaccines teach our immune system on how to make antibodies that protect us from COVID-19. The Pfizer Comirnaty and Moderna Spikevax are mRNA vaccines. The mRNA provides the instructions for your body to make proteins to develop immunity and protection.
The Sanofi Nuvaxovid is a protein-subunit vaccine. The vaccine has proteins that your body responds to in order to develop immunity.
It takes at least two weeks after getting the vaccine to be protected. Vaccines are updated each year to match the new variant/strains expected to spread.
Health Canada has approved COVID-19 vaccines as safe and effective. They meet quality standards, and the benefits of the vaccines outweigh the risks of a COVID-19 infection.
Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada continue to monitor the safety of all COVID-19 vaccines approved in Canada and will take appropriate action as needed.
Most vaccine side effects are mild and last a few days. Side effects usually mean that the vaccine is working.
Common side effects include:
Report any severe reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine to your health care provider. Health care providers are required to report Adverse Events Following Immunizations (AEFIs) to Toronto Public Health.
Allergies to the COVID-19 vaccines are rare. The vaccines are safe, and people with allergies, including serious allergies to food, medications, and insect bites can get vaccinated. Talk to a health care provider first if you are allergic to polyethylene glycol (PEG) or tromethamine (Tris). People with severe allergies to any of the vaccine ingredients should talk to their physician/allergist about getting the vaccine.
If you get a serious reaction after your first dose, talk to your health care provider about future vaccinations. Sometimes you can still be safely vaccinated or can received a different vaccine.
Individuals who have a fever or illness more serious than a cold should delay getting their COVID-19 vaccine until they are symptom-free. The presence of a minor illness, such as a cold, should not delay vaccination.