Protect Yourself and Your Community This Respiratory Season

Residents encouraged to stay up to date on immunizations and take steps to reduce the spread of respiratory illness.

By Lakelands Public Health - Oct 21, 2026

(October 21, 2026) – Lakelands Public Health is encouraging residents to take steps to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from respiratory illness. 
 
Respiratory viruses, including influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), typically circulate during the fall and winter months. Staying up to date with recommended immunizations and following public health recommendations can help reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and strain on the health care system. 
 
Starting October 26, 2026, all Ontario residents aged six months and older who live, work, or attend school in Ontario can receive a free flu and COVID-19 vaccine through participating pharmacies and primary care providers. Residents are encouraged to contact participating pharmacies and providers directly to book an appointment and confirm vaccine eligibility and availability before visiting. 

Publicly funded RSV vaccine is also available for eligible infants, high-risk children, pregnant individuals, older adults aged 75 years and older, and certain higher risk adults aged 60 to 74 years. Residents are encouraged to speak with their health care provider about RSV immunization if eligible. 

Lakelands Public Health is offering influenza and COVID-19 immunizations for children aged five and under who do not have a primary health care provider. To learn more or book an appointment, visit LakelandsPH.ca/BookOnline. Individuals outside this age group can receive their flu and COVID-19 vaccines through a participating pharmacy or their health care provider. 
 
"Respiratory viruses are expected to circulate throughout the fall and winter months, but there are steps we can all take to reduce the spread of illness," said Dr. Maxwell Tran, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Lakelands Public Health. "Staying up to date on recommended immunizations, staying home when sick, improving indoor air quality, washing your hands regularly, and considering a mask in crowded indoor settings can help protect both you and those around you." 

How to Reduce Your Risk of Respiratory Illness 
 
Lakelands Public Health recommends the following actions throughout respiratory illness season: 

  • Stay up to date with recommended immunizations, including flu, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumococcal vaccines, as eligible. 

  • Stay home when you are sick and avoid attending work, school, gatherings, or events until you are feeling better. 

  • Paying Attention to Indoor Air Quality: Spend time gathering outside, and when indoors consider opening windows/doors or running air filtration systems (including HVAC fans or in-room air cleaners). 

  • Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings or when recovering from a respiratory illness. 

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 

  • Cover coughs and sneezes and clean frequently touched surfaces regularly. 

Take steps to protect those at greater risk of severe illness, including older adults, infants, and individuals with underlying health conditions. 
 
Respiratory Infections Dashboard  
 
Lakelands Public Health will continue to provide local respiratory illness surveillance information through its Respiratory Infections Dashboard. 
 
As part of the 2026-27 respiratory surveillance season, Lakelands Public Health is partnering with Trent University and municipalities to include wastewater surveillance data in the dashboard. Wastewater surveillance will be conducted from October through December 2026, with data updated weekly on Thursdays.  
 
This surveillance provides an early signal of community-level transmission of respiratory viruses, including influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. Residents can subscribe to receive weekly respiratory surveillance updates directly to their email inbox by visiting LakelandsPH.ca/Subscribe.  
 
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For more information:

Media Contact 
Ashley Beaulac, SCMP© 
Communications Manager 
Lakelands Public Health 
media@lakelandsph.ca  

 
About Lakelands Public Health   

Lakelands Public Health serves the County of Haliburton, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and the City and County of Peterborough. The organization works to protect health, prevent illness and injury, and promote overall well-being for everyone who lives, works, and learns in the region, including urban and rural communities as well as Alderville, Curve Lake, and Hiawatha First Nations. 

Established through the voluntary merger of the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit and Peterborough Public Health, Lakelands Public Health combines local knowledge, public health expertise, and a strong community focus to deliver programs and services that respond to local needs. These include infectious disease prevention and control, healthy living initiatives, environmental health, school and family health programs, and emergency preparedness. For more information, visit LakelandsPH.ca.    

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