Here’s when you can get a flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine in Windsor-Essex

It’s respiratory illness season and Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is urging the public to stay up to date on your shots.

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is expanding vaccine rollout in Windsor-Essex and reminding residents to protect themselves and stay healthy this fall.

Eligible residents are encouraged to receive their influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunizations as soon as they become available to them.

Here’s when and where vaccines are available in Windsor-Essex:

COVID-19 and influenza (flu) vaccine rollout

Updated COVID-19 and flu vaccine formulations are now available for high-risk groups and will be rolled out to the general population beginning Oct. 27, 2025.

Individuals considered to be at a higher risk of illness from the flu and COVID-19 virus include:

• Children between 6 months and 4 years of age
• Adults over 65 years of age
• Pregnant individuals
• Residents of nursing homes and other care facilities
• Adults and children with chronic health conditions
• Individuals in or from First Nations, Inuit, or Metis communities

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine rollout – older adults and infants

This year, Ontario’s Older Adult RSV Prevention Program has expanded to include all residents of Ontario who are 75 years of age and older, and those aged 60 to 74 who meet the high-risk criteria.

Newborns and infants up to eight months of age entering their first RSV season, and high-risk children up to 24 months of age, may receive an RSV immunization for free under the publicly funded program. Pregnant individuals between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation are encouraged to have a discussion with their healthcare provider about receiving the RSV vaccine to help protect their infant from birth.

Where to get vaccines

In Ontario, flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available for free at your primary health care provider, participating pharmacies, and many walk-in clinics. People who live, work, or study in Ontario are eligible.

WECHU says it is both safe and efficient to receive both the COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time. To receive COVID-19 or flu vaccines, residents are encouraged to talk to their healthcare provider about getting vaccinated, or find a local pharmacy offering flu and/or COVID-19 vaccines by visiting www.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations.

To receive the RSV vaccine, residents are encouraged to:

• Talk to their primary healthcare provider or hospital healthcare provider about getting vaccinated
• Individuals who are eligible for the RSV vaccine can call 519-258-2146 ext. 1121 to book an appointment at the health unit.