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Cold, COVID and Flu Season Resources
Stay informed this cold, COVID and flu season with the latest resources and information to help you provide care and keep safe and well.
COVID-19 vaccine, testing, therapeutics Influenza vaccine RSV vaccine Toronto Public Health Vaccine Summary Table Personal protective equipment (PPE) Patient resources Mental health support resources for health care professionals
- Click here to download a PDF copy of these resources and information.
- Click here for Ontario Health information on fall/winter illness season supports available to primary care physicians. (French version)
COVID-19 vaccine, testing and therapeutics
Vaccines are available through:
- Community pharmacies - click here for a list of pharmacies providing paediatric (under 5 yrs and under 2 yrs) COVID-19 vaccines across Toronto. Availability may change so clients should call ahead to confirm.
- Health care providers enrolled in TPH’s COVID-19 vaccination program
- Homebound COVID-19 vaccinations
Health care providers enrolled in TPH’s COVID-19 vaccination program
- Eligible health care providers in Toronto can order COVID-19 vaccines here
- Questions about COVID vaccine and distribution, email COVIDVaccineOrder@toronto.ca
Homebound COVID-19 vaccinations
New referrals are required and there is an emphasis on ensuring clients are truly homebound as staffing resources are limited this year.
Free rapid antigen tests are available at some locations in Toronto.
Publicly funded PCR or rapid molecular testing are available for selected eligible groups.
Refer eligible groups with COVID symptoms to COVID assessment centers and/or testing locations.
Paxlovid
- · Assessment and prescription via primary care and select pharmacies
- · Access to COVID-19 antiviral treatment (Paxlovid) | Ontario Health
Remdesivir
- · Assessment & prescription via primary care and/or UHN Connected Care Hub
- · Referral to closest HCCSS branch for administration
- · Ontario Health Recommendations for Outpatient Use of Intravenous Remdesivir (Veklury) in Adults | Ontario Health
- · Access to remdesivir in the community | Ontario Health
Organizations must apply annually to provide vaccines through the MOH’s UIIP unless they receive other publicly funded vaccines (excluding the COVID-19 vaccine).
· TPH Influenza Information for Health Professionals
· MOHLTC 2023/2024 Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP)
NACI guidelines are still pending.
Arexvy is publicly funded in Ontario for those 60 years and older living in long-term care homes, Elder Care Lodges, and for some retirement home residents.
Arexvy is available to purchase from community pharmacies with a doctor’s prescription.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): vaccines in adults 60 years of age and older| Toronto Public Health
Recommendations: Clinical Considerations for the Co-administration of RSV, COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccines Among Older Adults in Long-term Care Facilities | Public Health Ontario
Some links you may find helpful for patients and families regarding viral illnesses during the cold season.
- Click here for a resource to share with patients on where to go for care in North York.
- Click here to access information flyers to share with patients and your community on access to COVID and flu vaccines, COVID rapid testing and how to manage symptoms at home. The flyers are available in Arabic, English, Farsi, Korean, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Ukrainian.
- A more detailed patient resource is also available.
Tips for managing symptoms at home - advice for parents and caregivers
Respiratory Viruses: Information for Parents & Caregivers | Toronto Public Health
Cough | AboutKidsHealth
Fever | AboutKidsHealth
Flu | AboutKidsHealth
Viral gastroenteritis | AboutKidsHealth
Influenza resources
Flu (influenza): Get your flu shot | Public Health Agency of Canada
The flu | Ontario Ministry of Health
Influenza (Flu) Fact Sheet | Toronto Public Health
COVID-19 resources
COVID-19: What to Do if You Have Symptoms | Toronto Public Health
RSV resources
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (in children) | Ontario Ministry of Health
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): vaccines in adults 60 years of age and older | Toronto Public Health
Working on the frontlines takes a toll.
Feelings of stress, grief or burnout are all normal responses under these conditions. Ontario Health has created materials to raise awareness about mental health supports tailored to health care workers’ needs during this challenging time.
You can use these resources to:
- Connect health care workers with mental health supports
- Increase the visibility and awareness of supports that are available.
Click here to access the resources.