Influenza Vaccines: Health Care Providers

UPDATES:

  • The information below has been updated for 2025-2026.
  • Products: Switch from quadrivalent inactivated vaccines (QIV) to trivalent inactivatedvaccines (TIV) for influenza vaccines.

COVID-19 VACCINES – For more information, please visit the dedicated health care provider COVID-19 webpage.

RSV VACCINES - Please see the dedicated health care provider RSV web page for more information. 

Please direct any questions or concerns you have regarding the provincial influenza vaccine supply to UIIP.MOH@ontario.ca.

 

The Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP)  (French) offers influenza vaccine free of charge each year to all individuals 6 months of age and older who live, work, or go to school in Ontario.

High Risk Populations - as soon as available

The following individuals are at increased risk of influenza-related complications or are more likely to require hospitalization and should receive the influenza vaccine as soon as it becomes available in the fall:

  • Residents in congregate living settings (e.g. chronic care facilities, long-term carehomes, retirement homes)
  • Adults 65 years of age and older
  • All pregnant individuals
  • All children 6 months to 4 years of age
  • Individuals in or from First Nations, Métis or Inuit communities
  • Individuals 6 months of age and older with the following underlying health conditions:
    • Cardiac or pulmonary disorders
    • Diabetes mellitus or other metabolic disease
    • Cancer
    • Conditions or medication which compromise the immune system
    • Renal disease
    • Anemia or hemoglobinopathy
    • Neurologic or neurodevelopment conditions
    • Class 3 obesity (body mass index of 40 or more)
    • Children and adolescents (6 months to 18 years) undergoing treatment with acetylsalicylic acid for long periods

Priority Populations - optimize co-administration with COVID-19 vaccine

To optimize co-administration with COVID-19 vaccine, the following individuals may receive influenza vaccine as soon as it becomes available in the fall:

  • Staff and care providers in congregate living settings (e.g. chronic care facilities, long-term care homes, retirement homes)
  • Health care workers
  • First responders
  • Members of underserved communities
  • Individuals whose occupational or recreational activities increase their risk of exposure to avian influenza A viruses R
    • Individuals with significant exposure to birds or mammals are more likely to have significant exposure to influenza A(H5N1) through interactions with birds or mammals (such as poultry, livestock, slaughterhouse and processing plant workers, wildlife officers/researchers, and veterinarians). Seasonal influenza vaccines do not provide protection against infection with influenza A(H5N1) viruses. However, they may reduce the risk of seasonal human and influenza A(H5N1) virus co-infection and possible viral reassortment leading to a human-transmissible virus with pandemic potential.

General Population - Starting October 27, 2025

All individuals (6 months of age and older without contraindications) who do not belong to the high-risk or priority populations described above may receive the influenza vaccine starting on October 27, 2025.

Individuals in the following two groups are particularly recommended to receive the influenza vaccine, once eligible (starting October 27, 2025):

1. Individuals capable of transmitting influenza to those listed in the high-risk group above and/or to infants under 6 months of age including:

  • care providers in the community
  • household contacts (adults and children) of individuals at high risk of influenza related complications
  • persons who provide care to children 4 years of age and under
  • members of a household expecting a newborn during the influenza season
  • those who provide services within a closed or relatively closed setting to persons at high risk of influenza related complications (crew on a ship, for example

2. People who provide essential community services

Public Information: See the Ontario Ministry of Health website (French) OR visit TBDHU.com/fluvax

Ministry of Health Guidance: Health Care Provider Fact Sheet: Influenza Immunization 2025-2026  (English and French)

Ordering and Transporting Vaccines

Ordering Vaccines – Primary Care and Clinics

Available vaccine will be distributed to ensure equal access for all ordering health care providers.

  • Order what  you require for the week considering fridge capacity. TBDHU recommends not stocking your fridge above 80% capacity to reduce the risk of a cold chain incident.
  • Use the form that also includes orders for RSV and pneumococcal vaccines
  • Submit a temperature log book with your order; see the Submitting Temperature Log Books section below for more details. Orders cannot be processed without a copy of the temperature log book. 
  • Call with questions; (807) 625-5908 in Thunder Bay or your nearest branch office.

Order and Pick-up Schedule

  • Thunder Bay orders
    • Submit: Monday-Tuesday
    • Pick up: Thursday-Friday  from 9:00am-4:00pm (email vaccineorders@tbdhu.com if an order is needed sooner than this schedule).
  • District orders:

Transporting Vaccines

Picking Up Vaccines

  • Thunder Bay providers:
    • Use the TBDHU Main Entrance at 999 Balmoral Street.
    • Let reception staff know that you are here to pick up flu vaccines.
  • District providers:
    • Make arrangements with your nearest branch office.
  • Ensure temperature log books were submitted at the time of order; they cannot be submitted at the time of pick up.

Submitting Temperature Log Books

All health care providers and pharmacies MUST submit the Ministry of Health fillable PDF temperature log to TBDHU as required by UIIP. 

  • Submit temperature log books by email to VaccineOrders@TBDHU.com or by fax to 807-625-4828. Email is preferred to reduce the risk of lost or unreadable temperature log submissions. 
  • Primary Care and Clinics: Submit when placing any flu vaccine orders, showing the temperatures since your last order OR just the last two weeks, if you ordered within the last two weeks.
  • Pharmacies: Submit every 2 weeks and include the details of the vaccines online which allows TBDHU to direct people looking for specific vaccines to a pharmacy that may have the product in stock.

National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI):  

Canadian Immunization Guide: Influenza vaccines: Canadian Immunization Guide  (French)

Product Monographs:

Adverse events following immunization (AEFI):

Questions: Contact your nearest branch office or the TBDHU Main Office at (807) 625-5908 to speak with a nurse.

Additional Resources:

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