Vaccines & Immunizations
Respiratory Illnesses
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
Respiratory Illnesses
Frequently Asked Questions
The flu vaccine reduces your chance of getting very sick, needing to go to hospital, and even dying. Older adults, young children 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 vaccine. Getting a flu vaccine 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. The flu vaccine also protects against other diseases such as invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease (iGAS) or worsening of existing chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease.
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 respiratory vaccines each year mean fewer people will need to go to the hospital.
The flu vaccine will not give you the flu.
Yes. You can get other vaccines, including COVID-19, RSV or flu vaccine at the same time.
COVID-19 vaccine information and booking is available at www.hamilton.ca/FallVaccineClinics
Colds, Flu, RSV, and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses. Colds will not make you as sick as RSV, the flu or COVID-19.
Symptoms of can vary from person to person and can be from 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, stay home from school, work and other activities. Contact your 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
Respiratory illnesses can also lead to worsening of:
- asthma
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) — a chronic disease of the lungs that makes it hard to breathe
- congestive heart failure — when the heart can’t pump enough blood and oxygen through the body
Go to an emergency department if someone has:
- trouble breathing (working hard to breathe, breathing faster than normal)
- pale skin
- lips that look white or blue
- asthma or wheezing
- any of the following symptoms:
- very sleepy/difficult to wake
- a prolonged or very high fever
- repeated vomiting and unable to keep any liquids down
- vomiting or diarrhea containing a large amount of blood
- signs of dehydration with dry mouth or no urination
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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