Who should get the influenza vaccine?

Vaccinations for influenza are recommended for all individuals six months of age and older. Influenza vaccination is strongly recommended for those who are at higher risk for severe influenza including:

  • Children aged six months to five years of age;
  • Adults 65 years of age and older;
  • Residents in seniors congregate living;
  • Individuals with certain medical conditions that place them at higher risk of influenza-related complications or hospitalizations;
  • Individuals who are pregnant; and
  • Individuals who identify as First Nation, Inuit or Métis.

Who should get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Vaccinations for COVID-19 are recommended for all individuals six months of age and older. The recommended interval is six months from the last COVID-19 vaccine dose or COVID-19 infection, but it can be as short as three months. COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended for individuals at high risk for severe disease including:

  • Adults 65 years of age and older;
  • Residents of long-term care and other senior congregate living facilities;
  • Individuals with underlying medical conditions that place them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection;
  • Individuals who are pregnant; and
  • Individuals who identify as First Nation, Inuit or Métis.

Vaccine appointments

Vaccines for influenza and COVID-19 are available by appointment only. Both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in reducing the spread of influenza and COVID-19 and the incidence of severe disease from these viruses. It is safe for individuals to receive both the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time.

Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services advises the public that masking is temporarily required in all clinical areas in hospitals and health-care facilities, including long-term care facilities, effective Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. Updated masking requirements in clinical areas apply to visitors/support persons, clients, patients (outpatient clinics and emergency departments) and health-care workers. 
 
With health-care facilities seeing an increase in respiratory illness, these updated masking requirements are put in place to help reduce the spread of infection. NL Health Services will continue to monitor epidemiology, hospitalizations and outbreaks and masking guidelines will be re-evaluated by March 31, 2025. 
 
The public is also reminded that self-screening for COVID-19/respiratory illness remains in effect and physical distancing is encouraged where possible. 

Masking

Visitors/support persons, clients and patients (outpatient clinics and emergency departments) are required to wear a well-fitted medical mask in all clinical areas, including in waiting areas for health-care services/appointments, clinical care/treatment areas and while visiting patients and long-term care residents. These requirements do not apply to patients admitted to hospital or long-term care residents. 

Individuals seeking or receiving health-care services who are symptomatic (i.e. experiencing any one or more symptoms of COVID-19 or respiratory symptoms) or have a rash are reminded that they are required to wear a mask upon entry and at all times while inside a health-care facility. Visitors/support persons who are feeling unwell or sick should not visit patients/residents or accompany others to appointments.  

Individuals can wear their own medical mask or a mask provided at the health-care facility. Cloth masks and masks with exhalation valves are not permitted.  

Masking requirements (October 25, 2024)

For information regarding updates to masking requirements at health-care
facilities, effective Friday, October 25, 2024, please see the PSA: NL Health Services Provides Update on Masking Requirements.

Self-screening for COVID-19/respiratory illness 

Visitors/support persons should not visit a health-care facility if they feel ill or are experiencing COVID-19, flu-like or gastrointestinal symptoms.  

Visitors/support persons are directed to follow signage at health-care facilities and meet the self-screening requirements before proceeding inside the health-care facility. In addition, visitors/support persons can complete self-screening prior to arrival at the facility by visiting their former legacy organization website: Central, Eastern, Labrador-Grenfell and Western. 
 
These precautions are in place to help keep patients, clients, long-term care residents, visitors, staff and physicians safe and help in the prevention and spread of infection. NL Health Services thanks the public for their co-operation. 

Individuals are encouraged to book vaccine clinic appointments online at TimefortheShot.ca, but may also book by phone if preferred. Individuals have the option to choose an appointment for a) flu vaccine only; b) COVID-19 vaccine only; or c) both flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Individuals are encouraged to check the website periodically for appointment times as appointment times will be added on an ongoing basis.

Homebound or frail individuals who cannot travel to a Public Health vaccine clinic or visit a pharmacist or doctor can arrange a home visit. Home visits can only be booked by telephone.

Toll-free number for clinic or home visit vaccine bookings: 1-833-951-3884 (Eastern Urban and Rural Zones).
The public is reminded to bring their valid MCP card and to wear a short-sleeved shirt when receiving their vaccine.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are also available at no cost through participating local pharmacies and family physicians.

Group/family bookings

Those booking for a group of people, i.e., family members, must book a separate appointment for everyone, regardless of whether the booking is made online or via the toll-free number.

If back-to-back appointments are preferred but not available at time of booking, those with confirmed separate appointments can arrive at the clinic together and will be accommodated wherever possible.

How can I protect myself and my loved ones?

Getting the flu shot, as well as ensuring your COVID-19 booster is up to date, are the most effective ways to reduce illness and complications from these diseases and can significantly lower the risk of potentially contracting influenza and COVID-19 at the same time, which could cause severe illness, especially for at-risk individuals. Getting vaccinated will also help reduce the spread of influenza and COVID-19 in our communities and help reduce the impact on the health-care system.

Getting the flu shot is an important way to help protect yourself, your family and vulnerable people in your community against seasonal influenza. It will also help to reduce the impact on the health-care system in the event of a potential surge of influenza or COVID-19 cases. While the flu shot will not protect against COVID-19, it will help reduce the risk of getting the flu which, if combined with COVID-19, could result in a higher risk for severe illness.

Individuals are reminded to practice prevention and control measures:

  • Stay home when you’re sick;
  • Avoid visiting people at high risk when sick;
  • Consider wearing a mask to protect yourself, to protect others, or when recovering from illness;
  • Wash your hands often;
  • Cover your mouth and nose with your arm when coughing and sneezing and immediately dispose of used tissues in the trash; and
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

More information

For more information, please visit the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Time For The Shot webpage.

Flu: https://www.timefortheshot.ca/flu/
COVID-19: https://www.timefortheshot.ca/covid-19/