The essentials
- Usual timing
- Every fall from 6 months of age
- How to get it
- Ask a primary care provider or public health unit about local appointments and funding.
Helps prevent influenza and reduce serious illness. Protection varies by season and circulating strains. Young children and children with some medical conditions are at greater risk of complications.
Fall 2026: priority groups, including children aged 6 months to 4 years, have earlier access. General access starts October 26. Check local appointments. Ontario’s 2026–2027 program dates
School status
Publicly funded for eligible Ontario residents, workers and students aged 6 months or older; not required for school.
Side effects & precautions
A sore arm, tiredness, aches or fever can follow the injection. Reactions usually settle within a few days. Side-effect guidance
A severe allergic reaction is rare. Discuss a serious previous reaction or Guillain–Barré syndrome after an earlier flu vaccine. Egg allergy alone does not prevent flu vaccination with a product suitable for the child’s age.
Call 911 for trouble breathing or swelling of the tongue or throat. Not sure whether a reaction is expected? Contact a healthcare provider or call 811 for advice. Seek care promptly if symptoms are worrying or getting worse.
Useful to know
One dose or two?
Children aged 6 months to under 9 years who have never had a flu vaccine need two doses at least four weeks apart. Other eligible children generally receive one dose each season. NACI 2026–2027 influenza guidance (PDF)
Which vaccine is available?
Ontario’s products and appointments can change each season. Ask the clinic which vaccine is available and suitable for your child’s age and health history. Current Ontario flu program
Under 6 months
Babies under 6 months cannot receive a flu vaccine. Vaccination during pregnancy and of close contacts can help protect them.
Ingredients & more detail
Check the exact product
Ask the clinic for the product name. Its official Canadian product information (product monograph) lists ingredients, packaging, side effects and precautions. This page is a short overview, not a complete safety list.
Your next step
Bring the immunization record and a list of questions to the visit. Ask which doses count, what comes next and how to report new doses to public health.
Sources and references (5)
Program details can change. How this guide is reviewed