Toronto Public Health says its flu shot clinics are now officially open to the public.
Flu shot clinics opened on Oct. 22, Toronto Public Health (TPH) announced Thursday. However, this year vaccine appointments will be made by online bookings only, as walk-in appointments are unavailable due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to TPH, these flu vaccine clinics will be available until the end of December due to higher demand for the vaccines this year.
To get the flu vaccine safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, the city recommends wearing masks when visiting the clinics, and not bringing friends and family members if they do not have an appointment.
“I encourage all residents to get their flu shot this year,” said Toronto Mayor John Tory in a statement.
“This year’s Toronto Public Health flu vaccine clinics are more important than ever in the wake of COVID-19.”
The mayor took the flu shot on Thursday morning, along with the city’s health medical officer Dr. Eileen de Villa, and board of health chair Joe Cressy.
https://twitter.com/JohnTory/status/1319273605989986307
The flu vaccine is free for individuals who are over six months of age, and live, work and attend school in Ontario, the health authority said.
“The flu vaccine will not protect you against COVID-19, but it will protect you from the flu or reduce the severity of illness from the flu,” said a statement from the city.
