Flu Vaccines - 2025/2026

Those listed below are more vulnerable to infection or serious complications and hospitalization from the flu and show get their flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they become available in the fall:

• residents in congregate living settings (such as chronic care facilities, long-term care homes, retirement homes)
• adults 65 years of age and older because their immune systems are weaker, and they are more likely to have an underlying condition that increases their risk
• all pregnant people because their immune system, heart and lungs change – especially later in pregnancy – making them more likely to get seriously ill from the flu
  • Infants under 6 months old are too young to get the flu shot, but they'll get some protection if their parent got the flu shot while they were pregnant
• all children 6 months to 4 years of age because their immune systems are developing, and their airways are small and more easily blocked
• people in or from First Nations, Métis or Inuit communities
• people 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

The groups listed below includes those who provide health care and community services as well as family members of those who are considered at high risk of a flu infection:

• staff and care providers in congregate living settings (such as chronic care facilities, long-term care homes, retirement homes)
• health care workers
• first responders
• members of underserved communities
• people whose occupational or recreational activities increase their risk of exposure to avian influenza A viruses
• people with significant exposure to birds or mammals are more likely to have significant exposure to influenza A(H5N1) (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.