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COVID-19 and flu vaccines will be available for high-risk individuals and priority populations by mid-early October and for everyone six months of age and older starting October 26, 2026.
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.
Like other respiratory viruses, COVID-19 is typically spread through respiratory droplets when people who are sick with the virus cough, sneeze, or talk near people who are within two metres. It has also been found that some respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, can spread through very small droplets called aerosols, which can linger in the air. Less commonly, a person may also get COVID-19 when they touch a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touch their own mouth, nose, or eyes before they clean their hands.
COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses share common symptoms, including:
Staying home and away from others when you are sick can help prevent viruses from spreading to others. COVID-19 can share common symptoms with other respiratory viruses such as fever, cough, and runny nose. If you are sick and have symptoms of a respiratory virus, you should stay home, whether you have tested or not, and wear a mask if you need to go out.
Stay home from work or school until you are feeling well enough to participate at work or school without using medications that treat fever. If you work with food, older adults, in a hospital or at a child care centre, stay home until you are feeling better. Most people can return 24 hours after their symptoms have stopped. If you have vomiting or diarrhea, wait 48 hours after these symptoms stop before returning to work. Check with your workplace if they have a policy on return to work after being sick.
Continue using layers of protection to protect yourself and others.
Long COVID, or post COVID-19 condition (PCC), occurs when symptoms or health issues persist for three or more months after a COVID-19 infection, and cannot be explained by another medical condition. People with long COVID are no longer contagious and cannot pass the virus to other people. Anyone who gets COVID-19 can develop long COVID. It is more common in adults, especially women and those with existing health conditions. However, children can also be affected. The risk increases for those who were hospitalized but can also occur after mild or even if a person has no symptoms. Repeated COVID-19 infections may further raise the risk.
Symptoms of long COVID can be different for everyone, and can change over time, but common symptoms include:
The best way to prevent long COVID is to avoid infection and get vaccinated. Studies show that people who are vaccinated with two or more doses are less likely to get long COVID and that getting vaccinated continues to protect people even after having a COVID-19 infection.
See the Post COVID-19 condition (long COVID): Symptoms and treatment – Public Health Agency of Canada and Canadian Guidelines on Post-COVID Condition – McMaster University for more information.
Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines is important, especially 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.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and others. There are more steps we can all take to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. Using layers of protection will help protect you, loved ones and those most vulnerable in our community, such as young children and older adults.
COVID-19 testing is available for eligible individuals. To find out if you are eligible, see the provincial webpage or contact your health care provider.
Antiviral treatments for COVID-19 can prevent serious illness if taken soon after symptoms start. Treatment is available for eligible individuals. To find out if you are eligible, see the provincial webpage or contact your health care provider.
Seek medical care if your symptoms feel worse than a common cold by calling your health care provider or 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007). If your symptoms are severe, seek immediate medical attention.
If you are caring for or living with someone who has COVID-19: