All Hamilton residents six months of age and over can now access flu and COVID-19 vaccines through participating local pharmacies, primary care and community partners and city run vaccine clinics, Hamilton Public Health Services (HPHS) says.
HPHS and local health-care partners are recommending both vaccines for members of the general public, with the respiratory virus season underway.
"Getting your fall influenza and COVID-19 vaccine is important to ensure that you have the most up to date protection for this respiratory virus season," associate medical officer of health Dr. Brendan Lew said in a news release Tuesday.
"We encourage Hamiltonians to make a plan to get vaccinated, and to ensure that loved ones who are older, immunocompromised or have medical conditions are supported to get vaccinated. Vaccination is key to keep our community healthy, reduce the health impacts of influenza and COVID-19, and reduce strain on our community's health-care system."
The latest version of the COVID-19 vaccine was previously only available for "high-risk" Hamiltonians.
'Everybody needs this'
Dawn Bowdish, an immunologist and Canada research chair in aging and immunity at McMaster University, said it is important that residents get the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
"I think the most important message to get out there is that everybody needs this as an update," Bowdish said Wednesday on CBC Radio's Ontario Today.
"The vaccines that we had, in some cases a couple years ago, are not particularly effective against the current circulating variants. And so even if you got your vaccines in the early roll out and you felt that you were protected, you need to know that that protection is waning, especially if you're older, if you have chronic health conditions.
"This new vaccine is a much better target to the circulating variants, [it] will do a much better job of protecting you from both infections and also the serious consequences of these infections," Bowdish added.
On Monday, the province's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kieran Moore, said it's safe and convenient to get both the new COVID-19 shot and the flu shot at the same time.
"If you want to separate them, that's fine, [but I] wouldn't let it go much longer," Moore said.
"Given that we anticipate influenza season starting in the coming weeks, it's really best to get both of those vaccines as soon as possible if we want the safest and healthiest winter and holiday season going forward."
HPHS said vaccination is an important protective measure in both the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 and influenza and in reducing the risk of the serious complications of these respiratory infections.
Meanwhile, HPHS continues to urge Hamiltonians to remain vigilant and take a multi-layered approach — including wearing a mask and washing hands — to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.
Mayor Andrea Horwath is also encouraging people to get the vaccines.
"Flu shots and COVID boosters are now open to everyone! Book an appointment and let's keep Hamilton healthy this winter," she said.
Influenza, COVID-19 vaccines available for all Hamilton residents aged 6 months and up - CBC.ca
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