Provincial Rollout Plans
Canada’s provinces and territories have begun organising their annual flu and COVID‑19 vaccination programmes, following guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). The committee’s latest advice, issued earlier this year, reiterates a “strong recommendation” that immunisation be offered to people at increased risk of severe disease, including adults aged 65 and over, health‑care workers and residents of long‑term care homes. NACI also advises that the vaccines be made available to anyone six months and older, while noting that individuals may decide based on personal risk assessments. A key point in the guidance is the suggestion that people wait roughly six months after a COVID‑19 dose before receiving a new one.
Ontario took the lead on Friday, announcing a staggered approach. High‑risk cohorts – hospital patients, staff, long‑term‑care residents, older adults and frontline workers – can book a shot from 28 September. The broader public will have access to free flu and COVID‑19 vaccines from 26 October at pharmacies, public health units and GP/NP clinics. The province continues to offer COVID‑19 vaccines at no cost.
Quebec has not yet set specific dates but has released its eligibility framework. Free doses will be provided to residents of long‑term and residential care centres, intermediate senior‑support facilities and private seniors’ residences. Additional eligible groups include those aged 65+, pregnant individuals, people living in remote areas, health‑care staff, and anyone six months+ who is immunocompromised, on dialysis or has certain chronic conditions. Those aged 12 and over who fall outside the criteria will need to pay, contacting a pharmacy or clinic for pricing.
British Columbia mirrors Quebec’s approach of withholding exact dates, confirming only that the vaccines will be available in fall 2026. The province urges residents to register with its Get Vaccinated system to receive appointment notifications once a vaccine is recommended for them. Further details on locations and eligibility are expected later in the season.
Alberta’s programme kicks off on 19 October, offering free COVID‑19 vaccines to defined high‑risk groups. Eligibility mirrors that of Ontario and Quebec for those aged 65+, people experiencing homelessness, teachers under the Back‑to‑School Act, and others. Children six months to 11 years who meet the criteria receive provincially funded doses; others may obtain a dose at Primary Care Alberta for an administrative fee of $100 per dose or series. For those aged 12 and over who are not eligible, the vaccine can be purchased at participating community pharmacies. Notably, Alberta provides free flu vaccines to all its residents.
Saskatchewan will open appointments in October, with clinics commencing mid‑month. The province has confirmed that the vaccines will be free for all residents six months and older. Young children can be immunised through public immunisation clinics, health offices or their physician/NP.
Manitoba retains last year’s criteria. Priority goes to adults 65+, Indigenous residents six months+, individuals with underlying conditions, pregnant women, essential service providers and long‑term‑care residents. All other Manitobans six months+ can also receive a dose, regardless of prior vaccination status. A non‑mRNA COVID‑19 vaccine is being made available for people aged 12+ who cannot or prefer not to receive an mRNA formulation; interested residents must contact public health offices or the provincial call centre. Rollout for both vaccines is slated for early‑to‑mid‑October.
Nova Scotia has confirmed that COVID‑19 and flu vaccines will be offered to anyone six months+ this fall, with timing details to follow as the programme begins.
New Brunswick has not announced exact dates but says vaccinations will start in mid‑October. The province’s offering is inclusive – anyone six months+ can receive the latest COVID‑19 and flu vaccines, though high‑risk groups are strongly encouraged to do so.
Prince Edward Island will see Health PEI nurses delivering flu and COVID‑19 shots at community vaccination clinics from October onward. The vaccines may also be accessible through community pharmacies, family physicians or nurse practitioners, and are free for all province residents.
Newfoundland and Labrador is set to release fall‑rollout details next month. Its vaccination booking website already states that anyone six months+ will be eligible for both COVID‑19 and flu immunisation, though specific dates remain unknown.
Yukon residents can now book appointments for flu and COVID‑19 vaccines at local clinics, participating pharmacies or health centres. All Yukoners six months+ are eligible, with high‑risk individuals, health‑care workers and caregivers urged to get immunised promptly.
As of 28 September, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut have not yet published vaccine schedules.
Eligibility and Prioritisation
NACI’s guidance underpins much of the provincial decision‑making. The committee’s “strong recommendation” is directed at groups most vulnerable to severe outcomes. This includes older adults, those with compromised immune systems, pregnant individuals and frontline carers. The advice also extends to the general population, allowing personal choice based on risk perception. The six‑month waiting period between doses is intended to optimise immune response and resource allocation.
Provincial eligibility frameworks largely reflect these recommendations while adding local nuances. For example, Alberta’s inclusion of people experiencing homelessness and teachers under the Back‑to‑School Act highlights a focus on community transmission control. Manitoba’s specific mention of Indigenous residents six months+ acknowledges historical health disparities. Quebec’s list of intermediate senior‑support facilities and private seniors’ residences demonstrates an effort to cover a broad spectrum of senior living arrangements.
Vaccination Access and Costs
The cost structure varies markedly across jurisdictions. Ontario and British Columbia continue to offer COVID‑19 vaccines free of charge, while Alberta provides free COVID‑19 doses only to defined high‑risk groups, charging $100 for others at Primary Care Alberta. Saskatchewan and Manitoba also provide free vaccines to all residents six months+, whereas New Brunswick and Nova Scotia do not specify fees but indicate universal access.
Flu vaccine policies differ as well. Alberta stands out by offering free influenza immunisation to every resident, a contrast to provinces where cost may be a factor for non‑eligible individuals. In Quebec, those aged 12+ who do not meet eligibility criteria must pay for both flu and COVID‑19 vaccines. The payment process typically involves contacting a pharmacy or medical clinic for current pricing.
Access points include public health units, pharmacies, GP/NP offices and dedicated immunisation clinics. Ontario’s plan to open pharmacies and health units to the general public on 26 October reflects a push for convenient, widespread distribution. Yukon’s early booking system for local clinics and pharmacies provides a model for proactive appointment management.
Regional Variations and Future Outlook
While most provinces have outlined broad strategies, timing and communication remain uneven. Some jurisdictions, such as B.C. and Quebec, have deliberately withheld specific dates, citing the need to align with NACI’s fall 2026 guidance and to allow for supply chain logistics. Others, like Alberta and Saskatchewan, have set concrete start dates, enabling residents to plan accordingly.
The lack of published schedules in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut as of late September highlights potential gaps in communication for remote communities. Health advocates have warned that limited outreach could contribute to lower vaccination rates, as noted in a recent report on declining COVID‑19 immunisation in the Maritimes.
Looking ahead, the six‑month interval recommendation will shape the cadence of future booster campaigns. Provinces are likely to refine eligibility criteria based on emerging variants and vaccine uptake data. The continued emphasis on free flu vaccines in several regions suggests a public‑health priority to reduce seasonal hospitalisation burdens.
Why it Matters
The coordinated roll‑out of flu and COVID‑19 vaccines across Canada is a critical component of the nation’s public‑health strategy, aiming to protect vulnerable populations and curb seasonal illness spikes. Accurate, timely information and accessible immunisation services are essential to maintain high uptake, especially as new variants emerge and health systems grapple with overlapping respiratory threats. The variations in provincial policies and cost structures underscore the need for consistent, equitable access, ensuring that geographic or socioeconomic status does not dictate protection against preventable diseases. This nationwide effort not only safeguards individual health but also reinforces community resilience, reducing strain on hospitals and preserving essential services throughout the winter months.
