Get your flu and COVID-19 vaccine

Vaccinations for influenza are recommended for all individuals six months of age and older. Influenza vaccination is strongly recommended for those who are at higher risk for severe influenza including:

• Children aged six months to five years of age.
• Adults 65 years of age and older.
• Residents in seniors congregate living.
• Individuals with certain medical conditions that place them at higher risk of influenza-related complications or hospitalizations;
• Individuals who are pregnant; and
• Individuals who identify as First Nation, Inuit or Métis.

Vaccinations for COVID-19 are recommended for all individuals six months of age and older. The recommended interval is six months from the last COVID-19 vaccine dose or COVID-19 infection, but it can be as short as three months. COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended for individuals at high risk for severe disease including:

• Adults 65 years of age and older.
• Residents of long-term care and other senior congregate living facilities.
• Individuals with underlying medical conditions that place them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection;
• Individuals who are pregnant; and
• Individuals who identify as First Nation, Inuit or Métis.

Vaccines for influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are available by appointment only. Both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in reducing the spread of influenza and COVID-19 and the incidence of severe disease from these viruses. It is safe for individuals to receive both the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time.

Individuals can now book vaccine clinic appointments online at TimefortheShot.ca. Appointments are available for the flu vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccine, or both at the same time. New appointment times will continue to be added, so individuals are encouraged to check the website regularly for updates.

Homebound or frail individuals who cannot travel to a Public Health vaccine clinic or visit a pharmacist or doctor can arrange a home visit. Home visits can only be booked by telephone.

Toll-free number for clinic or home visit vaccine bookings:

• Eastern-Urban and Eastern Rural Zones: 1-833-951-3884
• Central Zone: 1-833-961-3749
• Labrador-Grenfell Zone: 1-833-960-3643
• Western Zone: 1-833-703-5470

The public is reminded to bring their valid MCP card and to wear a short-sleeved shirt when receiving their vaccine.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are also available at no cost through participating local pharmacies and family physicians.

Those booking appointments for a group of people, i.e. family members, must book a separate appointment for everyone, regardless of whether the booking is made online or via the toll-free number.

If back-to-back appointments are preferred but not available at time of booking, those with confirmed separate appointments can arrive at the clinic together and will be accommodated wherever possible.

Getting the flu shot, as well as ensuring your COVID-19 booster is up to date, are the most effective ways to reduce illness and complications from these diseases and can significantly lower the risk of potentially contracting influenza and COVID-19 at the same time, which could cause severe illness, especially for at-risk individuals. Getting vaccinated will also help reduce the spread of influenza and COVID-19 in our communities and help reduce the impact on the health-care system.

Getting the flu shot is an important way to help protect yourself, your family and vulnerable people in your community against seasonal influenza. It will also help to reduce the impact on the health-care system in the event of a potential surge of influenza or COVID-19 cases. While the flu shot will not protect against COVID-19, it will help reduce the risk of getting the flu which, if combined with COVID-19, could result in a higher risk for severe illness.

Individuals are reminded to practice prevention and control measures:

• Stay home when you’re sick.
• Avoid visiting people at high risk when sick.
• Consider wearing a mask to protect yourself, to protect others, or when recovering from illness.
• Wash your hands often.
• Cover your mouth and nose with your arm when coughing and sneezing and immediately dispose of used tissues in the trash; and
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

For more information, please visit the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Time for The Shot webpage.

Flu: https://www.timefortheshot.ca/flu/

COVID-19: https://www.timefortheshot.ca/covid-19/