Ahead of expected viral surges, the province is planning to allow your pharmacist to prescribe flu medication and administer flu shots to children younger than two-years-old, removing the existing age restriction.

Flu shots will be available this month to staff in hospitals, staff and residents in long-term care homes, those hospitalized, and in retirement homes as well as other congregate settings.

The province also expects to begin receiving doses later this month of Moderna’s new COVID-19 vaccine formulated to fight the XBB.1.5 lineage of the Omicron variant, that recently got the green light from Health Canada.

Incidentally, initial doses will be prioritized for those at-risk.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kieran Moore is strongly encouraging anyone over 65 and others at high-risk to get their flu and COVID shots first, while everyone else should do so near the end of October or early November.

Flu shots will be available to the general public and for anyone over six-months of age, beginning October 30.