Flu shot bookings for OPH clinics open Monday

Flu vaccine appointment bookings for Ottawa Public Health clinics will open at 10 a.m. Monday OPH announced on Friday.

Anyone aged six months and older who lives, works or attends school in Ontario is eligible to receive the publicly funded flu vaccine at no cost.

For the 2021-22 flu season, OPH will be offering flu vaccines by appointment for:

Children aged six months to two years and their household member;

Individuals experiencing barriers to getting the flu vaccine which include: being a newcomer to Canada; having no Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card; having no primary care provider, such as a doctor or nurse; and those who have had difficulty accessing the vaccine at a pharmacy

People in those groups can book appointments at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Flu, with appointments to start Nov. 2 at the four community clinics:

Eva James Community Centre, 65 Stonehaven Dr.

Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA, Orléans, 265 Centrum Blvd.

Minto Sports Complex at University of Ottawa, 801 King Edward Ave.

J.H. Putman Public School, 2051 Bel-Air Dr.

Residents will be able to receive flu vaccines through their family doctor or participating pharmacies.

OPH says it is taking a targeted approach for this season's community flu vaccine clinics “to accommodate the anticipated COVID -19 vaccination program for children aged five to 11 and the expansion of third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for some individuals.”

New this flu season: individuals two years of age and older can visit participating pharmacies to receive their flu vaccine.

Individuals aged six months and older may also receive their flu vaccine from their family doctor or nurse practitioner.

Individuals who have not received two doses of the COVID -19 vaccines are able to receive both the COVID -19 and flu vaccines at the same time.

On Sept. 28, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) provided guidance that indicates that COVID -19 vaccines can be administered at the same time as other vaccines, including the flu vaccine.

For more information, visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Flu or call Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 (TTY: 613580-9656). You can also connect on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.