Vaccine Clinics

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Ontario's COVID-19 Vaccination Program

General Information

• One of the best ways to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency department visits is by staying up to date on available vaccinations for preventing respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.
• Updated COVID-19 vaccine  (a new formulation LP.8.1) is now available in Ontario and initial doses are available to protect people who are at higher-risk.
• The updated COVID-19 vaccine will be available for all eligible individuals 6 months of age and older in Ontario at no cost, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, even if you do not have an Ontario health card.
• Pharmacies and health care providers across our region are offering updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines.
• See the Ontario Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program website for full details.
• Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine Receipt or Register Your Out of Province Vaccine.

COVID-19 Vaccine Program Update

In alignment with the recent release of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) Guidance on the Use of COVID-19 Vaccines for 2025 to Summer 2026, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has directed the implementation of an annual COVID-19 vaccine program. All individuals 6 months of age and older who live, work, or attend school in Ontario are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccine doses will be prioritized for patients/residents, staff, and care providers in hospitals and congregate living settings, as well as other high-risk individuals as directed by the MOH. Vaccines for the general population will be available starting October 27, 2025.

Who is Eligible

The updated COVID-19 vaccine is now available in Ontario and is being prioritized for high-risk and priority populations. As per Ministry of Health (MOH) guidance, the eligibility criteria and vaccination prioritization are as follows:

1. High-risk Populations Group 1

The following individuals are at increased risk of COVID-19 disease and should receive COVID-19 vaccine dose(s) as soon as it becomes available in the fall AND should receive an additional dose in the spring: 

• Adults 80 years and older
• Adult residents of long-term care homes and other congregate living settings for seniors.
• Individuals 6 months of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (due to specific underlying condition or treatment).
• Individuals 55 years and older who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Metis and their non-Indigenous household members who are 55 years and older.
• Adults aged 65 to 79 years should receive COVID-19 vaccine dose(s) as soon as it becomes available in the fall AND may receive an additional dose in the spring. Certain individuals in this age group are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease and would benefit from doses in the fall and spring.

2. High-risk Populations Group 2

The following individuals are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure or severe COVID-19 disease and should receive COVID-19 vaccine dose(s) as soon as it becomes available in the fall:

• Residents in long-term care homes and other congregate living settings who are aged 17 years and under
• Pregnant individuals
• Individuals from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities who are aged 54 years and under
• Members of underserved communities
• Health care workers and other care providers in facilities and community settings as per NACI

3. Priority Populations

To optimize co-administration with influenza vaccine, the following individuals, may receive COVID-19 vaccine dose(s) as soon as it becomes available in the fall:

• Children 6 months to 4 years of age
• Individuals with significant exposure to birds or mammals through interactions with birds or mammals (such as poultry, livestock, slaughterhouse and processing plant workers, wildlife officers/researchers, and veterinarians)

4. General Population

All individuals (6 months of age and older) who do not belong to the high-risk or priority populations described above may receive COVID-19 vaccine dose(s) in the fall, starting on October 27, 2025.

Where to get Vaccinated

COVID-19 vaccine is currently available for the above listed populations.

Public Health Clinics

At this time, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is focused on providing COVID-19 vaccine to high-risk and priority populations who have limited vaccine access options. Please call 519-258-2146 ext. 1121 to book an appointment.

Language Services

Interpretation services are available at public health clinics in ALL languages.

For community supports for language and interpretation, call 2-1-1.