Where to Get Vaccinated

The flu shot and updated COVID-19 vaccine will be available to the general public starting Oct. 28 through your healthcare provider including participating pharmacies and walk-in clinics.

Check before you go

Access to flu shots and COVID-19 vaccines will vary by health care provider. Find out in advance if:

• One or both vaccines are being offered
• Young children can be vaccinated
• Children under two years old can't get a flu shot at a pharmacy
• Walk-ins are available or if an appointment is needed

For children under five years old

Niagara Region Public Health will have some flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine appointments available for children five and under this fall. Information on how to book these appointments will be updated as soon as it's available.

Protecting infants and high-risk children from RSV

Beyfortus® is expected to be available starting mid to late October. This is to protect infants entering or born during their first RSV season and high-risk children vulnerable to severe RSV disease entering their second season. Beyfortus® is the recommended product to protect infants and young children from RSV. Details on where to access this product (such as at hospitals or through your family doctor) will be shared soon.

See Ontario Ministry of Health's RSV prevention programs.

Booking an appointment at a Public Health clinic

Niagara Region Public Health offers publicly funded (free) vaccines by appointment for residents of all ages across Niagara.

Before you book

Follow these steps even if vaccines were received outside of Canada.

1. Check if your child's immunizations are up-to-date. If unsure, talk to your health care provider (for example, doctor, nurse practitioner) or contact the vaccine team at Public Health.
2. Report all vaccinations received from your health care provider or out of province to Public Health

To book an appointment for missed grade 7 vaccine(s)

See school vaccinations for grade 7 students.

Translation

If you speak a language other than English, call us and let us know the language you speak or the country you are from. We will add an interpreter to the phone call to translate.

• Appointments will be booked on a first come basis
• Appointments are booked in advance of selected clinic date
• If you're calling after hours, this extension doesn't take messages. We encourage you to call back during business hours.

About your appointment

• Appointment dates, hours and locations

  Appointments for Public Health community-based clinics vary by date, hours and location.

  Locations include:

  • Fort Erie - Public Health office
  • Niagara Falls - Public Health office
  • St. Catharines / Thorold - Public Health office
  • Welland - Public Health office

  Public Health also offers school-based vaccination clinics at participating schools for eligible students. Parents and legal guardians are notified about these clinics through their child's school.

• Vaccines offered

  Free vaccines are available to eligible individuals for:

  • Diphtheria
  • Influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine (for children five years of age and under this fall)
  • Haemophilus influenzae Type B (Hib)
  • Hepatitis A (for individuals one year of age and older who meet the high-risk eligibility only)
  • Hepatitis B
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Measles
  • Multicomponent Meningococcal B (for individuals two months to 17 years who meet the high-risk eligibility only)
  • Meningococcal-C-ACYW and Meningococcal-C-C
  • Mpox (at-risk groups are encouraged to get two doses of mpox vaccine)
  • Mumps
  • Pertussis (whooping cough)
  • Pneumococcal-C-15
  • Pneumococcal-P-20
  • Polio
  • Rotavirus
  • Rubella (German measles)
  • Shingles
  • Tetanus (lock jaw)
  • Varicella (chickenpox)
• Stay home if you're sick

  Postpone your vaccination until:

  • You have no fever, without the use of fever reducing medication and
  • Your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours or 48 hours if you have nausea, vomiting and / or diarrhea and
  • You have not developed any new symptoms
• If you can't attend your appointment

  Vaccine appointments can be rescheduled or cancelled by calling the Vaccine Team at 905-688-8248 ext. 7425.

• Getting ready for your vaccination

  Before going for your vaccine

  • Take any regular medication
  • Eat before coming to the vaccination clinic to prevent feeling faint or dizzy while being vaccinated
  • Wear a loose fitting short sleeve t-shirt

  What to bring

  • Green health card. You can still get vaccinated if you don't have a health card.
  • Immunization record. It will be used to assess which vaccines may be required and to record ones given at the clinic.
  • Cellphone, book or music to help with the vaccination experience. Learn about how to increase comfort using the CARD system (Comfort, Ask, Relax, Distract)
• Attending the appointment

  Before your appointment

  • Plan to arrive five minutes before the appointment. Please don't arrive any earlier.

  At your appointment

  • Parking is free for visitors
  • Review the screening poster at the clinic entrance and tell staff if you're feeling unwell

  After your appointment

  • After receiving vaccine(s), there will be a 15-minute waiting period
  • Report all vaccinations received to Public Health. For children 0 to 17 years of age, except for COVID-19 vaccinations and flu shots.

Get fee for service vaccines

Some vaccines are only available by paying a fee, such as those needed for post-secondary education, work or travel. You can get these vaccines from:

• Health care providers
• Walk-in clinics
• Participating pharmacies, with a prescription as needed
• Yellow fever vaccination centres

Use the Province of Ontario's smart search tool to find health services for you and your family.

Travel advice

See travel advice and advisories by destination.

Niagara Region Public Health does not offer travel vaccine advice or fee-for-service travel vaccines. Visit a health care professional or a travel health clinic two to three months before you travel to review your vaccination history and assess your health care needs.

If you're looking for a specific vaccine(s), call ahead to see if it's available. If you plan to visit a pharmacy to get vaccinated, find out if you need a prescription.