Ontario launches flu shot program and a clear call to vaccinate
Ontario’s health authorities announced that seniors, long-term care residents, hospital staff and patients will be among the first to receive the flu vaccine this week, with broader access opening to everyone aged six months and older on Oct. 27. The move mirrors similar rollouts across Canada and aims to reduce severe illness and hospitalizations as flu season advances.
Who is urged to get the shot this season
Public health officials emphasize that certain groups face higher risks of serious illness from influenza. Dr. Netisha Gupta of the Lung Health Foundation highlighted young children, seniors and people living with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as especially vulnerable. “The flu vaccine reduces the risk of falling ill and is most effective at making any infections that do occur milder and preventing hospitalization,” Gupta said, noting it takes about two weeks to offer protection.
What the research shows about children and influenza
Key numbers from the Canadian study
In parallel, pediatric infectious disease experts released findings from a major Canadian study on children and flu outcomes. Dr. Jesse Papenburg, from the Montreal Children’s Hospital and McGill University, co-led a study analyzing influenza-related hospitalizations and deaths among people aged 16 and younger in Canada between 2004 and 2022. The study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, found 80 deaths and 12,887 hospitalizations in that period. More than half of those who died were under five, underscoring why vaccination remains crucial. Three-quarters of the fatal cases involved at least one chronic medical condition, and only about one in four patients had been vaccinated.
“Mortality due to influenza in children is infrequent, but potentially preventable,” Papenburg said. “The flu is not just another benign cold-like illness; it can lead to serious complications.”
How the flu vaccine helps beyond preventing illness
Papenburg notes that the vaccine does not just reduce the chance of falling ill; it lowers the severity of disease and the likelihood of needing a doctor’s visit or hospitalization. The vaccine primes the immune system to recognize the virus, so when exposure occurs, the body responds more quickly and effectively. “Your body already knows how to respond so you do not end up with a severe reaction. So you do not end up in the hospital, or pneumonia,” Gupta explained. He added that the protective benefits become evident about two weeks after vaccination.
Practical steps to get protected this flu season
Residents should check local clinics, pharmacies and hospital programs for vaccination availability. The Ontario rollout means seniors and frontline workers can access vaccines earlier, but everyone aged six months and older should have the opportunity to be vaccinated by Oct. 27. The vaccine is typically provided free of charge to eligible groups, and many provinces are offering expanded access statewide. Public health officials urge people to get vaccinated early to maximize protection through the peak of flu season.
Bottom line: Vaccination reduces risk, severity and hospitalizations
The ongoing emphasis from doctors and researchers is clear: the flu shot remains one of the best defenses against a season of influenza, particularly for children, older adults and people with chronic lung disease. By getting vaccinated, families can reduce medical visits, prevent hospitalizations and safeguard the most vulnerable during flu season.
