Ontario’s 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine program and UIIP

To: Health Care Professionals in Niagara
From: Clinical Services Division, Niagara Region Public Health
Reference: Ontario’s 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine program and UIIP
Date: September 23, 2025

This memo contains details about the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine program and the Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP) to assist with health care provider planning. Staff responsible for ordering vaccine and patient resources can refer to the “Office Staff Action” subheading.

Highlights of changes:

UIIP:

Switch from quadrivalent inactivated vaccines (QIV) to trivalent inactivated vaccines (TIV) for influenza vaccines

COVID-19 vaccine program:

Eligibility criteria for COVID-19 is now aligned with the UIIP (i.e. 6 months of age and older who live, work, or go to school in Ontario)
Transition to align with the UIIP, including guidance to be issued each year for the respiratory season and immunization provided at the specified schedules and timing
High-risk populations have been divided into two groups (high-risk populations group 1 and group 2). Refer to page 3 of the COVID-19 vaccine health care provider fact sheet.
Timing of immunization more explicit
- Fall doses offered according to risk starting once vaccine is available
- Spring doses offered April to June 2026 to high-risk populations group 1
For individuals who have completed their primary series, only the minimum interval between subsequent doses is specified

Distribution of the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines

Public Health Units are anticipating receipt of several vaccine products at the end of September/beginning of October. Vaccine supply may be limited initially and will be distributed beginning in October.

Health Care Provider Action

COVID-19 vaccine and influenza immunization should begin as soon as vaccine is available for high-risk and priority populations. For details:

COVID-19 vaccine health care provider fact sheet - page 3
Influenza vaccine health care provider fact sheets
- 6 months to 64 years of age - pages 3-4
- 65 years of age and older – pages 4-5

The Ontario Ministry of Health is asking hospitals to prepare for and make a concerted effort to vaccinate hospitalized patients and out-patients, as appropriate.

Health care providers planning to conduct large scale influenza community vaccination clinics should wait until after October 27 to ensure that an adequate supply of vaccine can be ordered based on available provincial supply. However, health care providers must not plan to hold community clinics until they have received a sufficient supply from Public Health.

Health care providers not administering COVID-19 or influenza vaccines can refer patients to participating pharmacies or walk-in clinics. Advise parents/guardians of younger children to call ahead for availability.

UIIP:

Health care provider offices participating in the Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP) are being faxed an influenza vaccine package with additional details
As per the Canadian Immunization Guide, all influenza vaccines may be given at the same time (i.e., same day) as, or at any time before or after, administration of another live or non-live vaccine for those 6 months of age and older

COVID-19 vaccine administration:

Ontario will have two updated (LP.8.1) mRNA vaccines; Moderna Spikevax and Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty. These vaccines:
- Can be used interchangeably, provided the vaccine is authorized for the patient’s age
- May be given at the same time with other vaccines, or at any time before or after other non-COVID-19 vaccines
Pregnant patients should receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine to provide protection during pregnancy and to lower the risk of hospitalization for their newborn. COVID-19 vaccines may be offered at any trimester and while breastfeeding. See the Canadian Immunization Guide for more information.
Discuss ways to lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and treatment options with patients unable to receive an mRNA vaccine
Refer to pages 4-6 of the COVID-19 vaccine health care provider fact sheet for immunization schedules and intervals for individuals previously infected with COVID-19 this season

COVaxON:

Starting Sept. 22, inventory and administered doses of the new COVID-19 formulation (LP.8.1) can be recorded. The old formulation (KP.2) has been withdrawn and should not be administered.
- If the KP.2 formulation is selected a warning will display in COVaxON
- Health care providers can still make corrections to historical information pertaining to doses of KP.2 if required. If you have missed entering a historical dose, please email nrphcovaxsupport@niagararegion.ca.
Enter COVID-19 data in a timely manner to ensure accuracy in records and provincial vaccine supply

Accessing COVID-19 vaccine history:

Use COVaxON between Sept. 22 and Oct. 6 to view the most up to date COVID-19 immunization history for your patients
The ClinicalViewer will be updated for the new formulation of COVID-19 vaccine starting Oct. 7
The online vaccine certificate will be updated for the new formulation of COVID-19 vaccine starting Oct. 7

Office Staff Action

Please monitor Ordering Vaccinations for a new Seasonal Respiratory Products Order Form anticipated by the end of September. In the interim, use the COVID-19 vaccines for 2024 - 2025.
Patient posters from Immunize Canada: One Visit. Two Shots. Protected | Co-administration of influenza and COVID-19 vaccine:

For More Information

Call 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7396
Universal Influenza Immunization Program | ontario.ca
COVID‑19 Vaccine Program | ontario.ca
Refer to our website for information on reporting adverse events after immunization