Dear Families:

We are now booking for this season’s flu vaccination clinics.

Click here to see the clinic schedule which now shows the currently available flu vaccine clinic dates.

Please tell us if you would prefer the flu shot (needle – covered by OHIP) or the nasal spray (no needle – not covered by OHIP – e.g. you pay $30/dose). See info point #3 below regarding the difference between these two options.

To book an appointment, call 416-848-7665 or email admin@kindercarepediatrics.ca

All children, their first-degree relatives, and caregivers are welcome.

Here’s the important information about this year’s flu season and vaccine options:

1. Who should get the flu vaccine?
With a few exceptions, we recommend the influenza vaccine for everyone over 6 months of age. At the bottom of this email are links to vaccine information sheets from the Center for Disease Control with further information about why it is recommended and the few individuals who should avoid receiving the vaccine.

2. How to go about immunizing yourselves and your children?
This Flu season, Kindercare Pediatrics will be offering flu vaccine clinics for all children and their first-degree relatives. Please note that the vaccine clinics will not be run as walk-in clinics. Appointments must be scheduled in advance. Dates and times will be posted on the online clinic calendar at kindercarepediatrics.ca/. Call or email to book an appointment that suits you/your family

3. What types of vaccines are available?
There are two types of flu vaccines available in Canada: the conventional vaccine which is needle-injected and the nasal vaccine which is sprayed in the nostrils. The safety profile and effectiveness of both vaccines seem to be equivalent. As in the past, the government will cover the cost of immunizing your child with the conventional ‘needle’ vaccine. The government will not, however, cover the cost of the nasal vaccine which is approximately $30.00. Essentially, the major benefit of using the nasal vaccine over the needle vaccine is the elimination of the pain from administering the needle.

Please feel free to contact us should you have any further questions or if you would like to schedule a flu-shot appointment.

For further information about the two types of available flu vaccines check out these CDC Vaccine Information Handouts for the conventional vaccine and for the nasal vaccine.
Here are a few other reliable information sources about influenza vaccine:

Yours truly,

The Kindercare Pediatrics Team