Flu & COVID Shots This Fall in Etobicoke

Albion Health Medical Centre, a walk-in and family clinic in Etobicoke, gives both the seasonal flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine. For the 2026–27 season Ontario opened vaccination to high-risk groups in the week of September 28, 2026, and to everyone six months and older on October 26, 2026. Both are free with your OHIP card, and you can have them in the same visit.

Two dates, and which one applies to you

This year Ontario staged the rollout, which is the part most people find confusing. Vaccine went first to the people most likely to end up in hospital, then to everyone else a few weeks later:

• Week of September 28, 2026 — high-risk and priority groups, for both the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine.
• October 26, 2026 — everyone six months and older who lives, works or goes to school in Ontario.
• Cost: free. Both vaccines are publicly funded province-wide. Bring your OHIP card and there is no charge.
• Where: doctors' offices, participating pharmacies, public health units and community clinics — including here at 1625 Albion Road.

If you are not sure which group you fall into, come in and ask. Sorting that out takes a minute at the front desk and it is quicker than reading your way through a government website.

Can you get both shots at once?

Yes. Ontario's guidance is explicit that it is safe to have the annual COVID-19 vaccine and the flu shot at the same time — and the RSV vaccine too, for older adults who are eligible for it. In practice most people would rather have one appointment and one sore arm than make two trips, and getting both done in a single visit is the most reliable way to actually get both done.

Who is in the high-risk group

Ontario's high-risk list is broader than most people expect. It includes adults 65 and older, people who are pregnant, children six months to four years, First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, and anyone living with a chronic condition such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma or cancer. Health-care workers, care-home staff and first responders are prioritised as well.

If that describes you or someone you care for, you did not have to wait for the general opening date — and if you missed the earlier window, it is not too late.

Where to get them in Etobicoke

No booking portal and no appointment. Come to Albion Health Medical Centre, 1625 Albion Road, Unit 104 (free parking) during open hours — Monday to Friday 9:30–5:30, Saturday 9:30–2:30, closed Sunday. Bring your OHIP card; if you do not have one, ask our front desk about options. Our immunization services cover the whole family in one visit, and anything you are prescribed can be filled at the on-site pharmacy before you leave.

Looking for the flu shot specifically? Our guide to flu shots in Etobicoke covers timing and what to expect in more detail.

What to expect afterwards

A sore arm for a day or two is the usual story, and some people notice mild tiredness or a slightly raised temperature while the immune system does its work. That is a normal response and it passes quickly. Having both vaccines together does not generally make side effects worse, though you may prefer one in each arm. If something feels wrong beyond that, walk back in and we will take a look.

Why timing matters

Immunity takes roughly two weeks to build, and flu activity in Ontario usually climbs through late fall before peaking in winter. Getting vaccinated in late October or November puts protection in place ahead of the worst of it. If you read this later in the season, still come — influenza circulates well into spring, and a late shot is far better than none.

This guide is general information for our community and is not a substitute for medical advice. Program dates and eligibility follow Ontario's annual immunization program and can change. For guidance specific to your health, speak with a physician.