Protect yourself and your community—let’s get vaccinated this fall!

Public Health Sudbury & Districts is pleased to announce that vaccines against COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are now available to eligible individuals across the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts. This campaign is part of our ongoing commitment to safeguard community health and protect residents against serious infections.

“Lung infections are one of the top five causes of death in our community,” said Dr. Mustafa Hirji, Acting Medical Officer of Health with Public Health Sudbury & Districts. “As colder weather approaches and we spend more time indoors, it’s important to remember that viruses such as flu, COVID-19, and RSV can spread easily through the air. When more of us are vaccinated, we not only protect ourselves but also strengthen the shield around our entire community, especially those at highest risk.”

Booking your appointments

COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are available at many locations throughout the community. You can make an appointment to receive the vaccine with your health care provider, at a walk-in clinic, or at a participating pharmacy (Ministry of Health).

Public Health will offer appointments to the following individuals who are unable to access vaccinations through other providers:

• children aged 6 months to 11 years old
• those aged 6 months and over without a health card

The RSV vaccine is available through health care providers. For eligible older adults who do not have a health care provider, Public Health will offer appointments to receive the RSV vaccine.

COVID-19 and influenza eligibility

COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are currently available for individuals six months of age and older who are at high-risk of infection and severe illness. This includes:

• residents and staff of long-term care homes and congregate living settings
• adults 65 years of age and older
• children 6 months to 4 years of age
• pregnant individuals
• members of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities
• those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised
• health care workers and first responders
• members of underserved communities
• those that have significant exposure to birds and mammals

Beginning October 27, the COVID-19 (Ministry of Health) and influenza (Ministry of Health) vaccine will be available to everyone six months of age and older who live, work, or study in Ontario.

RSV eligibility

Public Health is pleased to see that the Ministry of Health has expanded the RSV vaccination program for older adults this year. If not yet vaccinated for RSV, adults aged 75 years and older, as well as high-risk individuals aged 60 to 74 (Ministry of Health), can receive the vaccine free of charge.

Infants born during the RSV season, as well as children under 24 months of age who meet certain criteria, are also eligible to receive immunization. Based on recommendations from a health care provider, immunization may be offered to pregnant individuals.

More information about eligibility can be found on the Ministry of Health website. To receive RSV immunization, speak with your health care provider.

Protecting yourself

The following precautions are always encouraged to protect yourself and others from infection:

• Stay up to date with your vaccinations. Receive your COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccines as soon as you are eligible.
• Stay home if ill until symptoms are improving for 24 hours (48 hours if gastrointestinal) and no fever is present. In addition, wear a mask for a total of 10 days after symptom onset.
• Improve the ventilation in indoor spaces by keeping windows open, when possible, and having heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems set to “on” rather than “auto.”
• Wear a well-fitted mask, especially in crowded or poorly-ventilated public settings.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and discard used tissues immediately in the garbage and then wash your hands.
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly for at least 15 seconds.
• Follow any requirements for masking or other protective measures in hospitals, long-term care homes, and other health care spaces.
• Check the Respiratory Illness Surveillance Dashboard for weekly updates on case, outbreak, and hospital activity related to influenza, COVID-19, and RSV.

For more information about vaccines and keeping yourself safe this respiratory season, please visit our website at phsd.ca or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).