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 adult RSV vaccine program is available year-round. All adults 75 years old and older, and adults 60 to 74 years of age who meet the eligibility criteria, can be vaccinated with Arexvy or Abrysvo®. One dose provides multi-year protection, so individuals who have already received an RSV vaccine do not need to be vaccinated again. The RSV vaccine can be co-administered with COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.
Eligible adults can receive the RSV vaccine through their health care provider. Those who cannot access the vaccine through their health care provider can book an appointment at a Hamilton Public Health vaccination clinic.
Ontario is now offering publicly funded RSV vaccination to older adults who are at high-risk of getting very sick. This includes:
- all individuals aged 75 and older
- 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 transplants
- recipients of a hematopoietic stem cell transplant within the past two years or with ongoing immunosuppression.
- Individuals on home oxygen or requiring chronic oxygen therapy
- 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 as booster doses are not currently recommended.
Talk to your health care provider or a Hamilton Public Health Nurse to discuss what vaccines are right for you at 905-540-5250, option 3.
Adults 50 years of age and older who do not meet the eligibility criteria are not eligible for a free dose, but can buy the RSV vaccine at a pharmacy with a prescription from their health care provider.
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 vaccine called Abrysvo® during pregnancy
The RSV season is generally from November to April, with regional variation across Ontario and between years. RSV immunization is provided free to eligible infants and high-risk children just prior to or during the active RSV season.
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. Babies born on or after April 1, 2026, who are less than 8 months old can receive Beyfortus® for free. Babies born between October and March are usually offered Beyfortus® before going home from hospital.
Children under 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 under 24 months who is at high risk, and lives in Ontario, can receive the RSV immunization for free during the RSV season. 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
RSV immunization for Pregnant People
The RSV vaccine Abrysvo® can be given during pregnancy. The immunization helps the pregnant person’s immune system protect their baby. The protection lasts up to six months after the baby is born.
Can a pregnant person get the vaccine for free?
Yes, during the RSV season, a pregnant person can receive the RSV immunization for free. The immunization can be given between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy if the baby is expected to be born during RSV season (October and March). Speak to your prenatal care provider or healthcare provider about getting vaccinated for RSV during your pregnancy.
If a pregnant person gets the RSV vaccine Abrysvo®, can the baby also receive Beyfortus®?
Administration of both the vaccine during pregnancy and to the infant is not generally recommended unless the infant is high-risk, and it is recommended by a health care provider. Ontario continues to offer Beyfortus® to babies as the main option. Abrysvo® during pregnancy is another safe and effective option. Talk to your health care provider about which is right for your family.
Adults who are 75 years of age and older or aged 60 years to 74 who meet the eligibillity criteria for publicly funded vaccine, can be vaccinated for RSV (Arexvy or Abrysvo®). One dose of RSV vaccine is currently recommended for older adults, and additional vaccine doses are not recommended. The RSV vaccine can be co-administered with COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines. Eligibility for the 2026 – 2027 has been updated to align with NACI (home oxygen or chronic oxygen therapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant within the past two years or with ongoing immunosuppression).
The adult RSV program is now year-round.
The publicly funded infant and high-risk children RSV prevention program includes the monoclonal antibody immunization, Beyfortus® (nirsevimab). Beyfortus® is publicly funded for infants born on or after April 1, 2026, who are under 8 months of age, and for children under 24 months who remain at high risk of severe RSV disease. Infants born during the season should receive Beyfortus® before hospital discharge. 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. Ontario continues to offer Beyfortus® as the primary option, with Abrysvo® as an alternative. Health care providers should share information on both products to support informed decision-making. Giving both products is not routinely recommended, except in specific circumstances outlined in the Ministry fact sheet.
The 2026-2027 infant, high-risk children and pregnancy program runs from October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, subject to product availability.
For additional information on ordering RSV immunizing products, please visit Vaccine Ordering, Cold Chain & Adverse Events Reporting.
RSV Ordering and Additional Resources
Resources for Health Care Providers
National Advisory Committee on Immunization 2024 Statement on RSV PreventionRSV Vaccines Canadian Immunization GuideRSV Prevention Program Letter to HCP (PDF, 128.39 KB)RSV Fact Sheet: Older Adult Prevention for HCP (PDF, 245.14 KB)RSV Fact Sheet: Infant and High-risk Children RSV Prevention Program for HCP (PDF, 819 KB)RSV Fact Sheet: Infant and High-risk Children RSV Vaccine Program for the Public (PDF, 109.08 KB)
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