At Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), we understand cold and flu season is a time when many of our patients and community members need us most. That’s why we’re taking steps to ensure we can continue providing you and your loved ones safe, timely and high-quality care during a busy fall and winter.
These steps include:
- Increasing staffing in specific departments where possible;
- Expanding patient services and departments, where possible and appropriate;
- Continuing to connect patients with community supports such as MGH2Home, an enhanced care program that helps patients transition home safely when they leave MGH. We offer this program to eligible patients in collaboration with our Ontario Health Team, East Toronto Health Partners (ETHP); and
- Identifying opportunities to improve our patient flow, transitions and discharges.
In addition, our teams have temporarily expanded patient care spaces like the Paediatrics Department. We are also exploring opportunities to do the same in other areas, including our Stavro Emergency Department and Child and Youth Emergency Zone.
As in previous cold and flu seasons, we are making the flu vaccine and updated COVID-19 vaccine accessible for all our team members so they can better protect themselves and our patients. We are also monitoring trends and will encourage masking as needed in alignment with our infection control colleagues at other hospitals in the GTA.
Like many other hospitals and healthcare organizations in Ontario, MGH has been operating at or beyond capacity because of existing demands across the health system. The measures we outlined above help us address these increasing demands coupled with the upcoming cold and flu season which will create more pressures.
How community members can help
During cold and flu season, patients may experience longer than usual wait times for various services at MGH, including in the Stavro Emergency Department.
If you think you may need care in our Emergency Department, we encourage you to review our Emergency Department webpage, if possible, to help ensure you come prepared and that our teams are able to support you as safely and quickly as possible.
In addition, there are things community members can do to stay safe and healthy this cold and flu season. This helps ensure you and your loved ones do not get sick enough to need hospital-level care, so MGH can continue supporting those who need us most.
Get the flu vaccine
Toronto Public Health says people who are considered high-risk can now get the flu vaccine at some pharmacies and primary care offices (e.g. family doctor or nurse practitioner).
Everyone in Ontario can get the flu vaccine at the following locations starting October 28, 2024:
- Your local pharmacy
- Please contact your local pharmacy to confirm availability.
- Your primary care provider (e.g. family doctor or nurse practitioner)
- Please contact your primary care provider to confirm availability.
All individuals aged six months and older are encouraged to get the flu vaccine as soon as it is available to them. It is safe to get the flu vaccine at the same time or around the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine or any other routine vaccines.
Learn more about the flu vaccine.
Get the updated COVID-19 vaccine
Toronto Public Health says people who are considered high-risk can now get the updated COVID-19 vaccine at some pharmacies. The vaccine will be available at other healthcare provider offices in the coming weeks. The updated COVID-19 vaccine better protects against the KP.2 variant.
Everyone in Ontario can get the updated COVID-19 vaccine at the following locations starting October 28, 2024.
- Your local pharmacy
- Please contact your local pharmacy to confirm availability.
- Your primary care provider (e.g. family doctor or nurse practitioner)
- Please contact your primary care provider to confirm availability.
- Other clinics found at Ontario.ca/bookvaccine
- Toronto Public Health clinics (only for children aged four and younger)
- Book an appointment at a Toronto Public Health clinic if your child is eligible.
All individuals aged six months and older are encouraged to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available to them and it has been at least three months since their last COVID-19 dose or infection (whichever is longer).
Learn more about the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
GET THE RSV VACCINE IF YOU are eligible
In fall 2024, the Ontario Ministry of Health introduced a new Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) prevention program for infants and high-risk children. These groups can get the RSV vaccine through:
- Pregnant people (32-36 weeks gestation) delivering near or during the 2024-2025 cold and flu season can get the RSV vaccine through their prenatal care provider to protect their newborn. This vaccine is available through participating prenatal healthcare providers, primary care providers (e.g. family doctor or nurse practitioner) and midwives.
- Infants born in 2024-2025 and high-risk children up to 24 months can get monoclonal antibody treatment for immediate RSV protection. This is available through hospitals, birthing centers, primary care providers and specialty clinics. If your child is eligible, please contact your care provider to confirm vaccine availability.
People aged 60 and older can also talk to their healthcare provider about getting the RSV vaccine. Learn more about RSV.
Consider care options in the community, when possible
If you have an urgent but non-life threatening health issue, we encourage you to contact your family doctor, nurse practitioner or other primary care provider.
Where possible and appropriate, we also encourage you to visit urgent care centres and walk-in clinics in East Toronto. See places to get care in East Toronto.
Other ways to stay safe and healthy
- Stay home if you’re sick
- Wash your hands often
- Choose well-ventilated spaces whenever possible
- Wear a well-fitted mask in crowded indoor settings
Thank you for doing your part to help keep yourself, your loved ones and your community safe this cold and flu season. We appreciate your kindness and patience as our team does their best to provide care for patients as safely and quickly as possible.