Ontario residents can get flu shot starting in November

The provincial government says Ontarians can start booking their annual flu shots as the cold weather continues next month.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones says the likelihood of contracting respiratory illnesses increases as the weather cools.

The government suggests people get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19.

Health care providers, public health units and participating pharmacies will begin offering flu shots on Nov. 1.

READ MORE: All Ontario adults can get bivalent Omicron-targeted vaccine today

The government encourages those aged 12 to 17 to receive a bivalent COVID-19 booster dose if they have received their primary COVID-19 vaccine series.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore says COVID-19 vaccinations should be kept up to date because vaccines improve the immune response.

The province made the bivalent vaccine available to all adults last month, reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and post-infection symptoms.

READ MORE: Health Canada authorizes Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine targeting Omicron