Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
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What is it?
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common virus. People are most likely to catch it from late fall to early spring. The virus spreads in the air from coughing or sneezing. It can also live on surfaces like counters and doorknobs.
RSV symptoms are usually like the cold or flu and can include cough, runny nose and fever. The virus can make some people very sick by making it difficult for them to breathe. This year the Ontario Ministry of Health RSV Prevention Program is offering immunizations to protect those people in Ontario who are at highest risk of getting very sick from RSV.
Severe RSV infections can result in lung infections or pneumonia in some older adults and those with underlying health conditions. RSV can also lead to worsening of:
- Asthma.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)— a chronic disease of the lungs that makes it hard to breathe.
- Congestive heart failure — when the heart can’t pump enough blood and oxygen through the body.
Adults who are having difficulty breathing should seek immediate medical attention.
Getting immunized against RSV protects older adults from severe RSV infection.
The 2025-2026 adult RSV program will begin this fall.
All adults 75 years old and older, and adults aged 60 years and older who meet the eligibility criteria can be vaccinated with Arexvy or Abrysvo™. One dose provides multi-year protection, so individuals who received the vaccine last year do not need to be vaccinated again. The RSV vaccine can be co-administered with COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.
For the 2025/2026 RSV Season, Ontario is offering publicly funded RSV immunization to older adults who are at high-risk of getting very sick. This includes:
- all individuals aged 75 and older (new for the 2025-26 season)
- individuals 60 to 74 years of age who are also:
- residents of long-term care homes, Elder Care Lodges, or retirement homes including similar settings (e.g., co-located facilities).
- patients in hospital receiving alternate level of care (ALC) including similar settings (for example, complex continuing care, hospital transitional programs)
- Patients with glomerulonephritis (GN) who are moderately to severely immunocompromised
- patients receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
- recipients of solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplants
- individuals experiencing homelessness
- individuals who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis
- residents of long-term care homes, Elder Care Lodges, or retirement homes including similar settings (e.g., co-located facilities).
If an individual has previously received a dose of RSV vaccine, they do not need to receive another dose this season, as booster doses are not currently recommended.
Talk to your healthcare provider or a Public Health Nurse to discuss what vaccines are right for you at 905‑546‑2424 ext. 7556
RSV can make babies and some toddlers very sick. Symptoms may include:
- Trouble sleeping and settling
- Trouble breathing
- Not feeding well
- Being less active
If your baby or toddler is experiencing these symptoms, or if you are worried, see a health care provider.
There are safe and effective ways to protect your baby or toddler from getting sick with RSV.
- Your baby or toddler can be immunized against RSV with Beyfortus®.
- The pregnant parent can get an RSV immunization called Abrysvo™ a few weeks before the baby is born.
- Giving Beyfortus® directly to your baby provides the best protection, but Abrysvo™ is another good option.
- Most babies only need Beyfortus® or Abrysvo™ to be protected from RSV. Talk to your health care provider for more information.
Babies can receive an immunization to protect them from getting very sick from RSV. It is called Beyfortus®. The protection starts right away after they are immunized. It lasts up to six months.
Can my baby get the immunization for free?
Any baby born April 1, 2025 or after and less than 8 months of age up to the end of the RSV season and resides in Ontario will be offered the RSV immunization for free.
Where can my Baby be Immunized?
Babies born in hospital during RSV season
The RSV immunization will be offered to babies born at a Hamilton hospital before they go home starting in early October 2025 until March 2026.
Babies born April 1, 2025 and after, or babies born at home during the RSV season
See your healthcare provider about the RSV immunization. If you have questions about where you can get the RSV immunization for your baby, call a Public Health Nurse at 905‑546‑2424 ext. 7556
Children up to 24 months of age who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease through their second RSV season may be eligible for RSV immunization.
Can my toddler get the immunization for free?
Any child up to 24 months who is at high risk, and lives in Ontario, will be offered the RSV immunization for free. Children may be at high risk of RSV disease if they have:
- Chronic lung disease
- Congenital heart disease
- Severe immunodeficiency
- Down syndrome/Trisomy 21
- Cystic fibrosis
- Neuromuscular disease
- Severe congenital airway anomalies
Where can my Toddler be immunized?
If your toddler meets the criteria, see your family doctor or medical specialist about the RSV immunization. If you have questions about where you can get the RSV immunization for your toddler call a Public Health Nurse at 905‑546‑2424 ext. 7556.
The RSV immunization Abrysvo™ can be given during pregnancy. The immunization helps the pregnant person’s immune system protect their baby. The protection lasts for six months after the baby is born.
Can a pregnant person get the immunization for free?
Yes, a pregnant person can receive the RSV immunization for free. The immunization is given between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy if the baby will be born between October and March
If a pregnant person gets the RSV immunization Abrysvo™, can the baby also receive Beyfortus®?
Generally, either the pregnant person or the infant is recommended to be immunized against RSV. Using both is not necessary, unless the infant is high-risk and it is recommended by a health care provider.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends immunizing the baby over the vaccination of the pregnant individual. If the pregnant person chooses to be immunized, their baby may not be eligible for Beyfortus®.
Ontario is implementing the RSV Prevention Program for the 2025/2026 season. The program will focus on protecting infants and older adults.
Adults who are 75 years of age and older or aged 60 years and older who meet the eligibility criteria for publicly funded vaccine, can be vaccinated with Arexvy or Abrysvo™. One dose provides multi-year protection, so individuals who received the vaccine last year do not need to be vaccinated again. The RSV vaccine can be co-administered with COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines.
The expanded infant program includes the monoclonal antibody Beyfortus® (nirsevimab). The Ministry of Health covers the full cost of Beyfortus® for eligable infants. The following infants and children up to 24 months of age at high risk of severe RSV disease. Abrysvo™ is also approved and publicly funded for use during pregnancy to protect the infant after birth if that is the parent’s preferred option. NACI recommends immunization of the infant with Beyfortus® over vaccination of the pregnant parent with Abrysvo™.
For additional information on ordering RSV immunizing products, please visit Vaccine Ordering, Cold Chain & Adverse Events Reporting.
Resources for Health Care Providers
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