Flu Vaccines - 2025/2026 | Thunder Bay District Health Unit

Everyone 6 months and older is now eligible for a flu shot.

Some highlights:

Everyone is now eligible for a flu shot and their next dose COVID-19 vaccine if they are 6 months and older.
- Those who are considered high risk and priority groups continue to be eligible.
Thunder Bay - The TBDHU clinic scheduled for the CLE is now full.
- Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available at pharmacies.
District Communities - Visit TBDHU.com/districtvaccines for more information on clinics that are available and how to book.
Participating pharmacies and health care providers will offer the flu vaccine to anyone 2 years and older, along with COVID-19 vaccine for another 6 months and older; use the Ontario locator website to find a pharmacy and call ahead to be sure.
- Children under 2 cannot receive a flu shot from a pharmacist and must receive the vaccine from a health care provider.
- Children under 2 without a health care provider can book an appointment at the TBDHU clinic in Thunder Bay (999 Balmoral) using the online vaccine clinic booking system OR at a district clinic (visit TBDHU.com/districtvaccines for more information).
Learn more about other vaccines that are recommended for specific groups:
- RSV vaccine: Protection for infants and expanded eligibility for high-risk older adults in 2025/2026.
Pneumococcal vaccine: For more information on this vaccine often referred to as the "pneumonia vaccine", visit TBDHU.com/pneumo.
- This vaccine is recommended for those who are 65 years and older and those of any age with specific underlying medical conditions. Individuals who are 65 years and older with an certain underlying health conditions may be eligible for a second dose if it has been at least a year since their first dose.

What you need to know about the flu shot:

As soon as it is available to you, get your annual flu shot and next dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Don't delay waiting for a specific brand of flu vaccine, any available vaccine is better than waiting.
It is safe and recommended to receive the annual COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot, and the RSV vaccine for eligible older adults, at the same time.
Side effects after getting your flu shot will vary from person to person, but most people experience none.
Protect yourself and your community through vaccination.

Eligibility

Everyone is now eligible

Everyone is now eligible for a flu shot, and their next dose of COVID-19 vaccine, if they are 6 months and older and live, work or study in Ontario.

Highly Recommended Groups

It is recommended that people in the following groups receive their flu shot:

people who provide essential community services
people who might spread the flu to high-risk populations and/or to infants
care providers in the community
household contacts (adults and children) of people at high risk of influenza related complications
people who provide care to children 4 years of age or younger
members of a household expecting a newborn during the influenza season
those who provide services within a closed or relatively closed setting to people at high risk of influenza related complications (such as ship crews)

Other high risk and priority groups

The following groups have been eligible since the beginning of the season and continue to be eligible

Those listed below are more vulnerable to infection or serious complications and hospitalization from the flu and show get their flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they become available in the fall:

residents in congregate living settings (such as chronic care facilities, long-term care homes, retirement homes)
adults 65 years of age and older because their immune systems are weaker, and they are more likely to have an underlying condition that increases their risk
all pregnant people because their immune system, heart and lungs change – especially later in pregnancy – making them more likely to get seriously ill from the flu
- Infants under 6 months old are too young to get the flu shot, but they'll get some protection if their parent got the flu shot while they were pregnant
all children 6 months to 4 years of age because their immune systems are developing, and their airways are small and more easily blocked
people in or from First Nations, Métis or Inuit communities
people 6 months of age and older with the following underlying health conditions:
- cardiac or pulmonary disorders
- diabetes mellitus or other metabolic disease
- cancer
- conditions or medication which compromise the immune system
- renal disease
- anemia or hemoglobinopathy
- neurologic or neurodevelopment conditions
- class 3 obesity (body mass index of 40 or more)
- children and adolescents (6 months to 18 years) undergoing treatment with acetylsalicylic acid for long periods

The groups listed below includes those who provide health care and community services as well as family members of those who are considered at high risk of a flu infection:

staff and care providers in congregate living settings (such as chronic care facilities, long-term care homes, retirement homes)
health care workers
first responders
members of underserved communities
people whose occupational or recreational activities increase their risk of exposure to avian influenza A viruses
people with significant exposure to birds or mammals are more likely to have significant exposure to influenza A(H5N1) (such as poultry, livestock, slaughterhouse and processing plant workers, wildlife officers/researchers, and veterinarians)
- Seasonal influenza vaccines do not provide protection against infection with influenza A(H5N1) viruses. However, they may reduce the risk of seasonal human and influenza A(H5N1) virus co-infection and possible viral reassortment leading to a human-transmissible virus with pandemic potential.

Pharmacies

Find a pharmacy that is offering flu vaccines by using the Ontario locator website OR call ahead to confirm.
- Children under 2 cannot receive a flu shot from a pharmacist and must receive the vaccine from a health care provider.
  - Children under 2 without a health care provider can book an appointment at the TBDHU clinic in Thunder Bay (999 Balmoral) using the online vaccine clinic booking system OR at a district clinic (visit TBDHU.com/districtvaccines for more information).

Health Care Providers

Contact your provider to ask if they are offering the flu vaccine.

TBDHU Clinics

Thunder Bay

The clinics are full for 2025/2026. The flu vaccine, along with COVID-19 vaccines, are available from pharmacies and health care providers.
- Find a pharmacy that is offering flu vaccines by using the Ontario locator website
- Children under 2 cannot receive a flu shot from a pharmacist and must receive the vaccine from a health care provider.
- Children under 2 without a health care provider can book an appointment at the TBDHU clinic in Thunder Bay (999 Balmoral) using the online vaccine clinic booking system OR at a district clinic (visit TBDHU.com/districtvaccines for more information).
RSV vaccines are still recommended for those who are eligible including anyone who is 75 and older and has never received the vaccine.
- This vaccine is NOT available at pharmacies, only through a health care provider.
- Those who are eligible can book with their health care provider OR book an appointment at the TBDHU clinic in Thunder Bay (999 Balmoral) using the online vaccine clinic booking system OR at a district clinic (visit TBDHU.com/districtvaccines for more information).
Pneumococcal (see the pneumococcal web page for eligibility)
- This vaccine is NOT available at pharmacies, only through a health care provider.
- Those who are eligible can book with their health care provider OR book an appointment at the TBDHU clinic in Thunder Bay (999 Balmoral) using the online vaccine clinic booking system OR at a district clinic (visit TBDHU.com/districtvaccines for more information).

District Communities

District community vaccine clinics will offer appointments for COVID-19 vaccine to anyone 6 months and older. The flu shot and the RSV vaccine will also be offered to those who are eligible and who make an appointment to receive COVID-19 vaccine.
- Visit TBDHU.com/districtvax for details.

Indigenous Led Clinics

ONWA Mindimooyenh Health Clinic is open for vaccine appointments; primary care is not available at this time.
- Call 807-697-1753 to book an appointment
ONWA Mindimooyenh Health Clinic is open to everyone who is Indigenous, lives in an Indigenous household, or works in an Indigenous community.

For more information about Ontario's other respiratory season campaigns:

COVID-19 Vaccines: Visit TBDHU.com/covidvax
RSV Protection: Visit TBDHU.com/rsvvax for details regarding who is eligible.