Canada’s provinces and territories have begun rolling out fall 2026 influenza and COVID-19 vaccination programs, with several jurisdictions giving priority to people at greater risk of illness or complications. Ontario’s first appointments for high-risk groups begin Sept. 28, while other provinces have set later start dates or have yet to publish full schedules. Access, eligibility and costs differ across the country.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) released its guidance for fall 2026 COVID-19 vaccines earlier this year. It continues to “strongly recommend” COVID-19 immunization programs for people at increased risk of infection or severe disease, including adults aged 65 and older, health-care workers and people in long-term care homes.

NACI also recommends that programs offer COVID-19 vaccines to anyone aged six months and older. Individuals can decide whether to receive a dose based on their own assessment of COVID-19 risk or personal preference. The committee advises waiting about six months after a COVID-19 vaccination before receiving another dose.

For influenza, NACI says vaccination should be prioritized for people at high risk of complications or hospitalization. The groups named include children aged six months to five years, adults 65 and older, health-care and other care providers in facilities, and household contacts of people at high risk.

Ontario announced its plans for both vaccines on Friday. From Sept. 28, hospitalized patients, hospital staff, residents and staff of long-term care and retirement homes, and adults aged 65 and older can get flu and COVID-19 shots. Starting Oct. 26, free shots will be available to the general public at participating pharmacies, public health units, and participating doctors’ and nurse practitioners’ offices. COVID-19 vaccines remain free in the province.

Quebec has not announced specific dates, but says vaccines will be available in early fall and has outlined who can receive them at no charge. Eligible people include residents of long-term and residential care centres, intermediate resources supporting seniors’ autonomy and private seniors’ residences. The list also includes people aged 65 and older, pregnant people, adults in remote and isolated areas, health-care staff, and people aged six months and older who are immunocompromised, on dialysis or living with certain chronic diseases.

People aged 12 and older in Quebec who are outside those eligibility groups will have to pay for flu and COVID-19 vaccines. They can ask a pharmacy or medical clinic about the cost. British Columbia, like Quebec, has not provided specific dates, saying only that vaccination will take place in fall 2026. The province encourages people to register through its Get Vaccinated system so they can be notified to book if a vaccine is recommended for them. More information about eligibility and vaccination locations is expected later this fall.

Alberta will begin providing free COVID-19 vaccines to specified groups on Oct. 19. Its eligible groups largely resemble those in Ontario and Quebec, including people aged 65 and older. Alberta also includes people experiencing homelessness and teachers eligible under the Back to School Act. Eligible children aged six months up to 11 years can receive a provincially funded dose.

People who do not meet Alberta’s COVID-19 eligibility criteria can get a dose through Primary Care Alberta for an administrative fee of $100 per dose or series. Those aged 12 and older can also buy the vaccine at participating community pharmacies. Influenza vaccines, by contrast, are free to all Albertans.

Manitoba is keeping last year’s criteria for both vaccines. People offered COVID-19 and flu shots first include adults aged 65 and older, as well as Manitobans aged six months and older who are Indigenous, have underlying medical conditions, are pregnant, provide essential community services or live in a long-term care home. Other Manitobans aged six months and older, whether previously vaccinated or unvaccinated, can also receive a dose if they do not have an increased risk of COVID-19 infection or disease.

Manitoba will also offer a non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine through public health locations this year to people aged 12 and older who cannot or do not want to receive an mRNA vaccine. Those interested should contact a public health office or the provincial call centre to find a location offering it. The province expects both vaccine programs to begin in early to mid-October.

Nova Scotia says it will provide flu and COVID-19 vaccines this fall to people aged six months and older. It plans to share more about timing and availability when the program begins. New Brunswick has not given specific rollout dates, but says vaccinations will start in mid-October. Anyone aged six months and older can receive the latest COVID-19 and flu vaccines there, with strong recommendations for higher-risk groups, including adults 65 and older, health-care workers and people with medical conditions that could raise their risk.

On Prince Edward Island, Health PEI nurses will provide flu and COVID-19 shots at community vaccination clinics starting in October. Vaccines may also be available through community pharmacies, family physicians or nurse practitioners. Vaccination is free for anyone living in the province.

Newfoundland and Labrador plans to release details of its fall program next month. Although it has not confirmed dates, its vaccination booking website says anyone aged six months and older will be eligible for both vaccines. In Yukon, residents can already book appointments at local clinics, participating community pharmacies or local health centres. All Yukoners aged six months and older are eligible, and the territory encourages high-risk recipients, health-care workers and caregivers to get vaccinated.

As of Sept. 28, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut had not provided details of their vaccine schedules. The available information across the country therefore includes set start dates in some places, broad fall timelines in others, and additional eligibility or location details still to come.

Based on reporting by Global News Edmonton.