Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Eligible individuals 60 years of age and older:

• health-care provider (HCP)
• pharmacies will not be authorized to administer publicly funded RSV vaccines
• eligible individuals who do not have a primary care provider can book an appointment at one of our immunization clinics for older adults

Non-eligible individuals aged 60 years of age and older:

• A prescription from a primary care provider is required.
  • The vaccine can be obtained and administered at a local pharmacy, for purchase.

Note: The Ministry of Health does not reimburse for privately purchased vaccines.

• If you received an RSV vaccine previously, you do not need another dose this season.
• Studies show multi-year protection, and the timing for future doses is still under review.

• There are two vaccine products available in Canada to provide protection against lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV for individuals 60 years of age and older.
  • Abrysvo™
  • Arexvy

• Both vaccines are authorized by Health Canada and recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).
• Both Arexvy and Abrysvo™ have been shown to be safe and demonstrated high effectiveness in preventing severe disease from RSV.
• The RSV vaccine can be co-administered with (received at the same time as) both seasonal and non-seasonal vaccines.

• Like any other vaccine or medication, the RSV vaccine may have some side effects, which in most cases are mild and last only a few days.
• Common side effects after the RSV vaccine can include:
  • pain, redness and swelling where the shot is given
  • fatigue (feeling tired)
  • fever
  • headache
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • muscle or joint pain

Find information for older adults, parents and caregivers about the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) programs at the Government of Ontario website.

New parents delivering in hospital

• Beyfortus will be given at the hospital after birth, before your baby is discharged.

New parents not delivering in hospital and for infants less than 8 months of age

• Health-care providers.
• For those without health-care providers, book a RSV Beyfortus appointment at Southeast Public Health.

Infants born April 1 or after and less than 8 months of age at the time of immunization or high-risk children under 24 months of age

• • Health-care providers.
  • For those without health-care providers, book a RSV Beyfortus appointment at Southeast Public Health.

There are two safe and effective ways to protect your baby or toddler from RSV:

• A preventive antibody medication that is given to a child (Beyfortus TM also known as Nirsevimab)
• A vaccine that is given to a pregnant person (Abrysvo TM also known as RSVpreF)

Only one of these options is needed to help protect your child from RSV. Using both is not necessary unless recommended by a health-care provider.

Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends Beyfortus given to a baby as the preferred option to protect against RSV. This is based on how well Beyfortus works, how long it provides protection and how safe it is.

Beyfortus is not a vaccine. It is a preventative antibody (protein) that helps fight the RSV virus. Antibodies are made naturally by our immune system to fight viruses. Beyfortus is a one-time injection that will protect your baby or toddler from RSV for six months.

Your baby or toddler is eligible to receive Beyfortus during the RSV season (late fall to early spring, typically November to April) in Ontario if they are:

• born April 1 or after and less than 8 months of age up to the end of the RSV season
• children up to 24 months of age who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease through their second RSV season, following a discussion with a health care provider, including children with:
  • chronic lung disease (CLD), including bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)
  • hemodynamically significant cyanotic or acyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD)
  • severe immunodeficiency
  • Down syndrome or trisomy 21
  • cystic fibrosis with recurrent pulmonary exacerbations requiring hospitalization, deteriorating pulmonary function and/or severe growth delay
  • neuromuscular disease impairing clearing of respiratory secretions
  • severe congenital airway anomalies impairing the clearing of respiratory secretions

• Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has found that Beyfortus is safe for babies and young children and effective at preventing RSV-related illnesses that leads to hospitalization.
• Side effects of Beyfortus are usually mild and last only a few days. Common side effects include:
  • redness, swelling and pain at the injection site
  • rash
  • fever
• For more safety information, see NACI’s statement on RSV prevention in infants.

Abrysvo is a vaccine that can be given to a pregnant person to prevent RSV infection in their baby.

• Given between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy if the baby’s due date is near the start of or during the RSV season.
• Abrysvo helps the pregnant person’s immune system create antibodies that can be passed to the baby during pregnancy, which will protect the baby after birth until they are six months of age.
• Speak with your health-care provider or contact Southeast Public Health for more information if you are considering this vaccine. Beyfortus is the recommended option.