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Part of Respiratory illness

Respiratory virus season – Get vaccinated

Learn about the risk of the different respiratory viruses and how to protect yourself and your family.

Stay safe and get immunized. Book a respiratory immunization appointment today.

Overview

Respiratory viruses are infections that affect the airways and lungs. These include respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and COVID-19. These illnesses are usually mild, but can be more serious in young children, older adults and people with certain health problems.

During respiratory virus season, it is important that emergency services are still available to those who need them the most. Not every respiratory illness case needs a visit to the emergency department.

Albertans are encouraged to speak with their primary care provider for guidance on immunizations and what options are best for them.

Influenza vaccine

It is encouraged Albertans 6 months and older get an influenza immunization (vaccine) each year. The influenza vaccine is available free of charge to all Albertans.

Seniors, pregnant women, young children, First Nations, Métis, Inuit and people with chronic health conditions are at higher risk of severe illness if they contract influenza.

Book an appointment

  • Children 6 months to 4 years old

    Children 6 months up to 4 years of age should get immunized at public health or community health centres. Pharmacists cannot immunize children under 5 years of age with provincially funded vaccines. 

    Appointments for eligible Albertans begin October 5, 2026.

    To book an appointment at a public or community health centre:

  • Five years of age or older

    Albertans 5 years of age and older can get the influenza vaccine at participating community pharmacies. Many pharmacies accept walk-in appointments.

  • Pre-ordering the influenza vaccine

    • Beginning October 5, 2026, Albertans can pre-order their seasonal vaccine online for the 2027-28 respiratory virus season. Pre-orders for next year will be accepted until December 18, 2026.
    • Pre-ordering does not confirm eligibility or secure an appointment time. When appointment booking becomes available, you will receive a reminder by text message or email with instructions to book.
    • The pre-order system helps reduce vaccine waste and provides information that supports planning and distribution for the season.
    • You do not need to use the pre-order system to receive a vaccine.

Respiratory syncytial virus vaccine

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that affects the airways and lungs. Most people experience mild, cold-like symptoms and recover on their own. However, RSV can cause serious illness in infants, young children, older adults and people with certain health conditions.

You can get RSV infection more than once. RSV season usually starts in late fall and lasts until spring.

  • Adult RSV vaccine

    The publicly funded RSV immunization is available year-round for eligible adults and currently only one dose is needed in a lifetime.

    Eligibility

    • Adults 70 years and older living in the community.
    • Adults 60 years and older living in continuing care or seniors supportive living settings.
    • First Nations, Métis and Inuit individuals 60 years of age and older.

    Starting October 1, 2026, eligibility expands to include more high-risk adults aged 18 to 69, including adults who:

    • have had a lung transplant
    • have had a hematopoietic stem cell transplant
    • are on home oxygen or require chronic oxygen therapy
    • are receiving dialysis

    Book an adult RSV vaccine

    Eligible adults can contact a community pharmacy or participating physician’s clinic to book an RSV vaccine appointment.

    Many pharmacies accept walk-in appointments. Contact your pharmacy before you go to confirm availability.

  • Infant RSV prevention program

    Beyfortus® (nirsevimab) is a medication that helps protect infants from serious illness caused by RSV. It is given as a single injection and provides antibodies that help protect against RSV during the respiratory virus season. Unlike a vaccine, Beyfortus does not stimulate the baby's immune system to make its own antibodies. Instead, it provides immediate protection by supplying antibodies directly.

    Eligibility

    Alberta will be offering Beyfortus free-of-charge to babies born in the hospital during RSV season (November through April).

    Infants and children who qualify under Alberta’s existing high-risk RSV program will continue to be offered RSV protection. Learn more at Alberta Pediatric RSV Prevention Program.

COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 immunization will be available free to eligible Albertans 12 years of age and older.

  • Booking an appointment

    For most individuals, an appointment can be booked if it has been at least 3 months since your last COVID-19 vaccine dose.

    Children 6 months to 11 years of age

    For children 6 months to 11 years old and their families, you can book an appointment at a public health or community health centre.

    Ages 12 years and older

    It is encouraged to book an appointment at a community pharmacy.

    Many pharmacies also accept walk-in patients.

  • Fall 2026/27 eligibility

    Starting October 19, 2026, provincially funded COVID-19 vaccines will be available to Albertans:  

    • 65 years of age and older 
    • 6 months of age and older who are:
      • residents of long-term care homes and other congregate living settings
      • individuals with underlying medical conditions, including immuno-compromising conditions
      • homeless
      • pregnant
      • First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals
      • health care workers and other care providers in facilities and community settings
      • teachers eligible under the Back to School Act

    Children 6 months and up to 11 years of age who are eligible can receive provincially funded vaccines free of charge through Primary Care Alberta public health clinics. Children who do not meet the eligibility criteria can access the vaccine at Primary Care Alberta, with an administrative fee of $100 per dose or series.

    Individuals 12 years and older who do not qualify for provincially funded COVID-19 immunization can purchase the vaccine at participating community pharmacies.

    Eligible health care workers

    • Individuals actively registered with one of our colleges.
    • Union members (for example, UNA, HSAA, AUNP, AUPE, CUPE) as well as individuals who work in patient-facing settings such as:
      • hospital staff (including students in health disciplines, contract workers and volunteers)
      • staff in community health settings (for example, clinical labs, home care, shelters)
      • medical first responders
      • staff in continuing care and supportive living
      • disability support workers and staff working in recovery settings
      • health care aides on the provincial registry
      • students training in facilities such as hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, continuing care homes and supportive living accommodations

    Eligible underlying medical conditions

    • cancer (currently receiving treatment)
    • cerebrovascular disease
    • chronic liver diseases
    • chronic lung diseases
    • chronic kidney diseases
    • cystic fibrosis
    • diabetes mellitus, type 1 and type 2
    • disabilities (for example, Down syndrome, learning, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, ADHD, cerebral palsy, congenital disabilities and spinal cord injuries)
    • heart conditions (for example, cardiomyopathies, coronary artery disease, heart failure and more)
    • mental health disorders (limited to mood disorders, including depression; schizophrenia and spectrum disorders)
    • obesity
    • pregnancy
    • tuberculosis

    Eligible immunocompromising conditions

    • HIV infection
    • primary immunodeficiency diseases
    • solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
    • use of corticosteroids, other immunosuppressive medications or CAR T-cell therapy

  • Pre-ordering COVID-19 vaccine

    • Beginning October 5, 2026, Albertans can pre-order their seasonal vaccine online for the 2027-28 respiratory virus season. Pre-orders for next year will be accepted until December 18, 2026.
      • Pre-ordering does not confirm eligibility nor appointment time.
    • You will receive a reminder by text or email prompting you to book your immunization appointment when booking opens.
    • The pre-order function is intended to help reduce waste while providing better data and information to prepare vaccine supply needs for each season.
    • You are not required to use the pre-order system to receive a vaccine.

Protect yourself 

Protect yourself and your family from respiratory viruses by practicing preventative health best practices:

  • stay home if you are feeling sick
  • wash or sanitize your hands often
  • cover your coughs and sneezes
  • avoid touching your face
  • clean and disinfect surfaces regularly (for example, counters, doorknobs)

Respiratory virus dashboard

View the Respiratory virus dashboard for updates on RSV, influenza and COVID-19 activity in Alberta.

Next Pandemic influenza