Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines: Health Care Providers

Guidance/Fact Sheets

Influenza

• 6 months to 64 years: Health-Care Provider Fact Sheet: Influenza Immunization for individuals 6 months to 64 years of age (PDF)
  • webpage - individuals 6 months to 64 years
• 65 years and older: Health Care Provider Fact Sheet: Influenza Immunization for Individuals ≥65 years of age (PDF)
• UIIP website: Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP) 

COVID-19

Annual program: The 2026/2027 COVID-19 vaccine program aligns with the Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP) and will cover a 12-month period starting in September and ending in August. 

• Ministry of Health website - COVID‑19 Vaccine Program | ontario.ca
• Health Care Provider Fact Sheet: COVID-19 Vaccine
• Fiche d’information du fournisseur de soins de santé : Campagne de vaccination contre la COVID-19 pour 2026-2027

Availability for the public

High Risk Groups and Priority Populations 

• October, as soon as the vaccine is available

General Public

• beginning October 26: 

Ordering and Picking Up Vaccines – Primary Care and Clinics

Ordering Vaccine - Form

• Order form: TBDHU can accept orders starting immediately using the Respiratory Illness Vaccine Order Form (updated September 2026)
• What you need for the week: 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.
• Temperature Log with order: A temperature log book MUST be included 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. 
• Questions: Call 807-625-5908 in Thunder Bay or your nearest branch office.

Vaccine Storage and Handling

• The Ontario Ministry of Health vaccine storage and handling document (French) 

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
  • Make arrangements with your nearest branch office.

Transporting Vaccines

• Use a hard sided cooler with a thermometer and enough space for your entire order. Consider the dimensions of the product. See the video How to Pack an Insulated Container for Vaccine Transport.
• Ensure coolers are pre-conditioned (2-8°C). 
• Review and familiarize all staff who transport vaccines with the Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines for COVID-19 vaccine.
• A second pre-conditioned cooler must be used if picking up any non-COVID-19 vaccines to prevent freezing.

Picking Up Vaccines

Ensure temperature log books were submitted at the time of order; they cannot be submitted at the time of pick up.

• Thunder Bay providers:
  
  • Use the TBDHU Main Entrance at 999 Balmoral Street.
  • Let reception staff know that you are here to pick up vaccines.
• District providers:
  • Make arrangements with your nearest branch office.

Submitting Temperature Logbooks

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

• Submit temperature logbooks 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 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 available which allows TBDHU to direct people looking for specific vaccines to a pharmacy that may have the product in stock.

 

Reporting COVID-19 vaccine administration

• Please report COVID-19 vaccine administration using the modified metric form (updated September 2025)

Adverse Effects Following Immunization (AEFI)

• Report AEFIs using the Ontario AEFI Reporting Form as required under the Health Protection and Promotion Act by physicians, nurses, pharmacists or other persons authorized to administer an immunizing agent.
  
  • More information on reporting AEFIs to TBDHU, see Ordering and Reporting Vaccines - Including AEFIs webpage and scroll down to the Reporting AEFIs tab.

Questions

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