Vaccines & Immunizations
Flu Vaccine
Vaccines & Immunizations
Protect against respiratory illnesses. Get vaccinated.
Staying up to date with your annual fall respiratory vaccines protects you and your loved ones from illness.
Free influenza (flu), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and COVID-19 vaccines are available. Getting your fall respiratory vaccines helps protect you, your family, and your community. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are FREE for everyone 6 months of age and older who lives, works or attends school in Ontario. RSV immunizations are FREE for babies born after April 1, 2025, and up to 8 months of age during RSV season. This year, adults 75 years of age and older and some adults 60 years of age and older are eligible for a FREE RSV vaccine.
For information on the spread of respiratory illness in Hamilton, visit Respiratory Virus Data
Flu & COVID-19
Frequently Asked Questions
The flu shot reduces your chance of getting very sick, needing to go to hospital, and even dying. Older adults and people with health conditions can be at higher risk of getting very sick with the flu, so it is important they and others who spend time with them get the flu shot. Getting a flu shot can help protect you from getting the flu and can reduce symptoms and can shorten the time you have the flu if you do get it.
People who become very sick with flu may need to go to the hospital, which places an extra burden on the hospitals and health care system. Getting the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine will mean fewer people will need to go to the hospital.
The flu shot will not give you the flu.
Yes. You can get other vaccines, including the flu shot at the same time as, or at any time before or after the COVID-19 vaccine. You do not need to wait a certain number of days before or after getting the COVID-19 vaccine to get your flu shot.
COVID-19 vaccine information and booking is available at www.hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine
No. Getting the flu shot will not protect you against COVID-19. Flu and COVID-19 are caused by different germs. You still need to get the COVID-19 vaccine to help protect you from COVID-19.
Both flu and COVID-19 are much more serious than a bad cold. Flu and COVID-19 can both make you very sick. Sometimes, people get so sick, they need to be in the hospital. Getting both vaccines will help keep people out of hospital.
No. Getting the flu shot will not increase your chance of getting COVID-19.
Getting a flu shot can help protect you from getting the flu and can reduce symptoms and can shorten the time you have the flu if you do get it.
Flu, colds, and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses. Colds will not make you as sick as the flu or COVID-19.
Symptoms of COVID-19 and flu can vary from person to person. Symptoms can be mild or severe. Some people with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms, but they can still spread the infection to others.
If you feel sick, even with mild symptoms of flu or COVID-19, stay home from school, work and other activities. Test yourself for COVID-19 using a rapid test if you have access to a testing kit. Contact your doctor, nurse or other healthcare provider to talk about your symptoms as needed.
If you do not have a family doctor and are looking for one in the Hamilton area visit needadoc.ca
If your symptoms are getting worse, even if your COVID-19 test is negative, contact your health care provider, an urgent care centre or the emergency room. More information about when to go to an emergency room as well as wait times for emergency departments and urgent care across Hamilton is available at: www.hamiltonemergencywaittimes.ca.
If you need emergency medical attention, call 9-1-1.
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