Protect Yourself and Others

For general COVID-19 Vaccine information:
- Call Provincial Vaccine Info Line at 1-888-999-6488 (TTY 1-866-797-0007)
- Ask your health care provider
- Book appointment with SHN to speak with a doctor online or call 416-438-2911 ext. 5738
- Book appointment with Sick Kids Hospital to speak with a pediatric nurse about COVID-19 vaccines for youth.
For COVID-19 Vaccine booking information:
Call 905-974-9848, option 7
Have flu, COVID or cold symptoms and looking for medical support?
To help reduce pressure at significantly strained local hospital emergency departments, Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH) have opened Flu, COVID & Cold Clinics, in partnership with primary care doctors.
For children and youth (17 and younger), learn more about the walk-in clinic at McMaster Children’s Hospital, including hours of operation, go to www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/coldandflu
For those 18+, learn more about the clinic at SJHH’s West 5th Campus, including hours of operation and how to book an appointment, go to www.StJoes.ca/FluCOVIDCold.
We all need to continue being mindful that COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses like flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are circulating in our community, even as public health measures are changing. Understanding your risk and taking actions to protect yourself and others is important to help slow the viral spread.
Risk Assessment
Individuals should assess their own personal level of risk for severe outcomes from respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV, and be mindful that there are community members who remain at higher risk for serious outcomes. Check local indicators for respiratory illness transmission in Hamilton.
A person with any of the medical conditions is more likely to get very sick with COVID-19, especially if they are not fully vaccinated. A booster dose is recommended to further reduce risk of severe outcomes.
- Older age (risk increases for individuals above age 50).
- Unvaccinated individuals, especially those above age 50
- Certain cancers
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic liver disease
- Chronic lung diseases (e.g., COPD)
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease (e.g., heart failure)
- Dementia
- Immune-compromised
- Pregnancy
This list does not include all possible conditions that could make you at higher risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19. When making decisions about which activities to participate in, each individual needs to assess their own risk, as well as of those around them.