Free flu and COVID-19 shots are now open to everyone 6 months and older: where Burlington residents can get them

Who can get them

On October 26, the Province of Ontario said everyone six months and older can now get free flu and COVID-19 vaccines at participating pharmacies, public health units and doctor and nurse practitioner offices across Ontario. Halton Region Public Health's flu page says the flu shot is free for people who live, work or attend school in Ontario, and its COVID-19 vaccine page says anyone 6 months of age and older who lives, works or goes to school in Ontario can get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Where to get a shot in Burlington

• Flu shot: Halton Region says to visit a doctor or nurse practitioner, or a participating pharmacy. Its flu page links to a list of participating pharmacies in Burlington.
• Young children: the Region says children from 6 months to 2 years of age must visit a doctor or nurse practitioner for a flu shot.
• COVID-19 vaccine: the Region says to check with your local pharmacy on availability and which products it has, and to book with the pharmacy directly. Some primary care offices also offer it. Pharmacy COVID-19 shots for children 6 months to 4 years vary, so contact the pharmacy first.
• The Province's pharmacy finder is at ontario.ca/vaccine-locations, and the Province advises calling ahead because availability varies across providers.
• Homebound residents: Halton Region Public Health no longer offers its COVID-19 vaccination service for homebound residents. It encourages homebound people to get the COVID-19 vaccine from the same provider who gives them their flu shot.

Doses and timing

The Province says getting the COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time is safe and recommended, to avoid multiple trips. Halton Region says the flu shot takes about two weeks to take full effect, and that children from 6 months to under 9 years who have never had a flu shot should get two doses at least four weeks apart. The Region also says people with a higher chance of getting COVID-19 disease should also get a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in the spring, and that people 6 months and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are recommended to get additional doses in the fall and spring.

RSV vaccines for older adults and infants

The Province says the adult RSV vaccines, Abrysvo or Arexvy, are also available and recommended for everyone 75 and older. Its RSV programs also cover certain high-risk adults aged 60 to 74, such as residents of long-term care or retirement homes, infants up to eight months old born on or after April 1, 2026, and high-risk children under 24 months. The Province says pregnant women can also choose to get the Abrysvo vaccine, which can help protect infants at birth.