On October 19, the Government of Ontario released information on the influenza vaccination program for 2021 for the general population.

Free Flu Shot Available to all Ontarians in November | Ontario Newsroom

“To protect the most vulnerable, Ontario’s initial supply of flu vaccine was prioritized for long-term care home residents and hospital patients beginning in September, and flu shots are now available for seniors and others most at risk for complications from the flu. Starting in November, the flu shot will be available for all Ontarians through doctor and nurse practitioner offices, participating pharmacies, and public health units. To further improve access and convenience to the flu shot and based on demand in recent years, pharmacies will receive approximately 40 per cent of the allocated doses, up from 36 per cent last year.”

Like the rest of Ontario, in Grey and Bruce, the initial supply of flu vaccine was prioritized for the most vulnerable populations for seniors and others most at risk for complications from the flu as per NACI. These vaccines have already been distributed to relevant and qualifying system partners, and are being actively administered to those at high risk.

Starting in November, the flu shot will be available for all residents of Grey Bruce (and Ontario) through Primary Care Providers (doctor, Family Heath Teams, and nurse practitioner offices), and at participating pharmacies. Any clients without a health care provider are encouraged to visit their local pharmacy or contact the Grey Bruce Health Unit to make an appointment for immunization.

Flu season typically runs from late fall to early spring.

COVID-19 and Influenza

Some of the symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to the flu, and it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.

If you think you have COVID-19, you can get tested. If you have symptoms, you should stay home and self-isolate for 14 days or until you get your results.

If you don’t have COVID-19, you may have the flu or another respiratory illness.

You should get a flu shot as soon as it becomes available to you, because it takes two weeks to take effect.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) now recommends that COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time as the flu vaccine.

Symptoms of Influenza (The Flu)

Symptoms typically appear 1 to 4 days after you've been exposed to the virus, but you're still contagious even if you don't show symptoms yet.

Most people who get the flu will recover within 7 to 10 days.

You may have caught the flu if you have:
· fever
· chills
· cough
· runny eyes
· stuffy nose
· sore throat
· headache
· muscle aches
· extreme weakness and tiredness
· loss of appetite

Some people may have diarrhea or vomiting, though this is more common in children than adults.

Influenza (the flu) is not related to other gastro (stomach) illness such as Norwalk Virus. It is a respiratory illness.

For details on the illness, and the vaccine please visit:
The flu | ontario.ca

source: media release, Grey Bruce Health Unit