Volunteers Rally to Clean Don Valley Trails
Over 200 Toronto residents participated in a weekend cleanup event, removing trash and restoring natural paths in the Don Valley area.
By Frontier Echo Editorial Team | June 20, 2025 at 14:49
Toronto Public Health has opened flu vaccination clinics across the city in preparation for the upcoming cold season. The campaign, aimed at boosting immunization rates and reducing strain on hospitals, will run throughout the fall with dozens of locations providing free flu shots to residents.
Clinics are being hosted in libraries, community centers, and pop-up tents at transit hubs to maximize accessibility. No appointments are necessary, and many locations offer extended evening and weekend hours to accommodate working individuals and families.
“Vaccination is the single most effective way to protect yourself and your community from seasonal influenza,” said Dr. Roslyn Mathers, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health. “It reduces the risk of serious complications and helps safeguard our most vulnerable populations.”
Health officials are emphasizing the importance of flu shots this year due to the expected resurgence of respiratory viruses. With COVID-19 still circulating, reducing flu-related hospitalizations is considered crucial for maintaining health system capacity.
The city is prioritizing high-risk groups, including seniors, children under five, pregnant individuals, and those with chronic health conditions. Specialized clinics are also being held for immunocompromised residents, with medical staff available for consultation.
Outreach campaigns are underway in multiple languages, featuring ads on buses, social media, and radio to reach Toronto’s diverse communities. Public health nurses are also visiting shelters and long-term care facilities to administer vaccines onsite.
Residents who receive their shot will also be given information about COVID-19 booster availability, with some clinics offering both vaccines at once under the guidance of health professionals.
To ensure transparency and confidence, Toronto Public Health has launched an online dashboard showing clinic wait times, vaccine availability, and demographic breakdowns of immunization rates across the city.
Last year, only 42% of Toronto residents received a flu shot—a figure health officials hope to raise significantly with this year’s expanded efforts and outreach.
Officials urge anyone experiencing symptoms to stay home and consult a healthcare provider. They also stress that vaccination is free and available to everyone, regardless of immigration status or insurance coverage.
The clinics will remain open through late December, with mobile units rotating through different neighborhoods weekly. A full schedule and map of locations is available on the city’s health department website.
As temperatures drop and flu season ramps up, health leaders are hopeful that proactive measures will keep transmission rates low and communities safe across Toronto.
For more information or to find a clinic near you, visit toronto.ca/flu or call the Toronto HealthLine at 416-338-7600.