Norfolk FAMILY MEDICAL FALL VACCINE CLINIC

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Getting an annual flu shot and updated COVID-19 vaccine offers the best protection from serious illness during the respiratory illness season, which generally runs from October to April each year. Receiving these immunizations helps maximize protection against severe illness during the winter months when peak circulation of respiratory viruses is happening. You can safely get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time.

The flu vaccine helps protect you from getting the flu and can reduce the severity of illness if you do get sick.

For the 2025-2026 flu season, the following vaccines are available:

• Trivalent Inactivated Vaccine (TIV): For ages 6 months and older.
• High-Dose Trivalent Inactivated Vaccine (TIV-HD): For ages 65 and older.
• Adjuvanted Trivalent Inactivated Vaccine (TIV-adj): For ages 65 and older.

All available flu vaccines are effective and it is recommended to get your flu shot as soon as it is available to you.

The flu vaccine is administered by a single dose in the upper arm.

• It is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
• It is highly recommended for those in high-risk groups, including:
  • Residents in congregate living settings
  • Adults aged 65 and older
  • Pregnant people
  • Young children (6 months to 4 years)
  • Individuals with certain health conditions
  • People in or from First Nations, Métis or Inuit communities

Those at high risk including:

• Adults 65 years and older (especially 80+)
• Residents of long-term care and congregate living settings for seniors.
• Individuals 6 months and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (due to an underlying condition or treatment).
• Individuals who identify as First Nations, Inuit or Metis and their non-Indigenous household members. 
• Pregnant individuals.
• Members of racialized and other equity-denied communities.
• Health care workers and other care providers in facilities and community settings.

Priority populations including:

• Children 6 months to 4 years of age
• Individuals with significant exposure to birds or mammals through interactions with them.

General public including:

• All individuals 6 months of age and older

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) -is a respiratory virus that can cause infection in the upper (nose and throat) and lower (airways and lungs) parts of a person’s respiratory system. It is a common cause of respiratory illness, particularly among infants, young children and older adults during the fall respiratory season. Immunization is available to help prevent serious outcomes, such as hospitalization, caused by the virus.

The following RSV products are available:

• Beyfortus® immunoglobulin: For infants and high-risk children to prevent serious RSV infections.
• Abrysvo® vaccine: For pregnant individuals to provide protection to infants from birth to six months of age and for adults age 60 and older.
• Arexvy vaccine: Adults ages 60 and older to prevent lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by RSV.

Publicly funded (free)

• Infants: Born April 1 or after and who are less than 8 months of age at the time of immunization
• Children: Up to 24 months of age who meet the certain high-risk criteria for severe RSV disease
• Pregnant Individuals: Between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy who will deliver during the RSV season
• Older Adults: 75 years and older, in addition to adults aged 60–74 who meet high-risk criteria or reside in specific higher-risk settings and who did not receive it last year.