Where to Get a COVID Booster in Nepean & Ottawa

Current COVID Booster Recommendations in Ontario (2025–2026)

COVID-19 remains a circulating respiratory virus in Ontario and Canada, and while the acute public health emergency has passed, updated booster doses continue to be recommended for eligible individuals. Health Canada and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) regularly review the evidence and update guidance as new variants emerge and immunity from previous vaccination or infection wanes.

For the 2025–2026 season, updated COVID-19 vaccines formulated to target currently circulating variants are available at participating Ontario pharmacies. The Ontario government has maintained a publicly funded COVID vaccine program, with OHIP covering eligible residents. As guidance can be updated throughout the season, always confirm the latest recommendations with your pharmacist or Ottawa Public Health.

Who Should Get a COVID Booster?

NACI recommends that updated COVID-19 booster doses are particularly important for higher-risk individuals. Priority groups for COVID boosters in Ontario include:

• Adults 65 years and older — especially those in long-term care or retirement homes
• Adults 18–64 with underlying medical conditions increasing risk of severe illness (heart disease, diabetes, chronic lung conditions, immunocompromising conditions)
• Pregnant individuals
• Healthcare workers with direct patient contact
• Residents and staff of congregate living settings
• Adults living in remote or isolated communities
• People who have not received any COVID vaccine dose in the past 6–12 months

For otherwise healthy adults under 65, NACI recommends boosters based on individual risk assessment and preference. If you are unsure whether a COVID booster is right for you, our pharmacists at Longfields can walk you through the current recommendations during your visit or over the phone.

OHIP Coverage for COVID Vaccines in Ontario

The Ontario government continues to fund COVID-19 vaccines for eligible residents. Under the publicly funded program, COVID boosters are available at no cost if you:

Walk-In vs. Appointment at Longfields Pharmacy

Longfields Pharmacy offers both walk-in and appointment-based COVID vaccinations, depending on current vaccine availability and demand. Here is what to expect:

1. 1
   Book an appointment online or walk in

   You can book your COVID booster appointment online for a guaranteed time slot, or walk in during business hours subject to vaccine availability. Booking ahead is recommended during peak periods.
2. 2
   Complete a short screening form

   Our pharmacist will review your COVID vaccination history and current health status to confirm you are eligible and identify the right vaccine for you.
3. 3
   Receive your vaccine

   Your COVID booster is administered in a private, comfortable consultation area by our trained pharmacy team.
4. 4
   Wait 15 minutes for observation

   All vaccine recipients are asked to remain for a 15-minute observation period following administration — standard practice for any immunization.
5. 5
   Receive your vaccination record

   Your COVID vaccination is documented in the provincial immunization registry and you receive a record for your own files.

What to Bring to Your COVID Booster Appointment

• Your Ontario health card (OHIP) — required for publicly funded vaccines
• Your COVID-19 vaccination record or proof of previous doses if available
• A list of any current medications or known allergies
• Wear a short-sleeved top or a top with sleeves that can easily roll up
• If you have had a recent COVID infection, bring the approximate date so we can advise on timing

Primary Series vs. Boosters — Understanding the Difference

If you are new to COVID vaccination or missed your primary series, it is worth understanding the distinction between primary doses and boosters. The primary series — typically two doses — establishes baseline immunity. Boosters are additional doses given after the primary series to strengthen and update that immunity as the virus evolves and as immunity from earlier vaccines wanes over time.

If you have never been vaccinated against COVID-19, your first step would be completing a primary series before receiving boosters. Our pharmacists can advise on the appropriate schedule based on your personal history. Updated mRNA vaccines available in 2025–2026 are formulated to target currently dominant variants, meaning they offer improved protection compared to the original formulations used in 2021 and 2022.

How Often Do You Need a COVID Booster?

Unlike the flu shot, which is recommended annually for virtually all Ontarians, COVID booster timing is more individualized. Current NACI guidance generally recommends:

• High-risk individuals: updated booster annually, typically in fall before respiratory virus season
• Immunocompromised individuals: may benefit from more frequent booster doses — discuss with your physician
• Healthy adults under 65: consider a booster if it has been more than 12 months since your last dose or infection
• A minimum interval of 6 months is typically required between your last COVID dose or confirmed infection and your next booster

Visit our COVID vaccines service page for the most current information, or book your COVID booster online at Longfields Pharmacy today.