Starting this fall, Ontario is expanding the publicly funded RSV immunization program to include all individuals aged 75 years and older. Check back for updated details on how to get your immunization or vaccination at the TW FHT.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Information
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that affects the lungs and breathing passages. It usually causes mild cold-like symptoms, but it can be serious for certain people, especially babies under 6 months old, young children and older adults.
Symptoms of RSV may include:
runny nose
coughing
sneezing
wheezing
fever
decrease in appetite and energy
In infants, symptoms may include:
irritability
difficulty breathing
decreased appetite or feeding
decreased activity
RSV is the leading cause of bronchiolitis, which is swelling in the small airways of the lungs, and pneumonia, a lung infection, in infants and toddlers. Most children will get RSV by the time they turn two. While many recover at home, some may need hospital care if they have trouble breathing or other serious symptoms.
People at higher risk—like those with heart or lung conditions or weakened immune systems—should take extra precautions. The Ontario Ministry of Health has RSV prevention programs to help people that are at high risk of an RSV infection. Vaccines and antibody treatments are available to help protect infants and older adults from severe RSV illness.
Infant and high-risk children RSV Prevention Program
This program covers the full cost of immunization in infants and high-risk young children (see eligibility criteria below) to help prevent serious infections. The immunization is given just prior to and during the active RSV season (usually November to April, peaking in December). Ontario Ministry of Health
What injections are currently available for infants and high-risk young children?
There is one injection that is currently available and covered for infants and high-risk young children who meet eligibility criteria. This injection is called Beyfortus.
Beyfortus is an injectable monoclonal antibody. Monoclonal antibodies do not activate the immune system as would happen with a vaccine, but instead the antibodies themselves protect against the disease.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends Beyfortus as the preferred product to protect infants, based on its:
Who is eligible for the Beyfortus monoclonal antibody?
Monoclonal antibody immunization (Beyfortus) is currently funded for RSV prevention in infants and children who are residents of Ontario and meet any of the following criteria:
Infants born April 1, 2025, or after AND less than 8 months of age up to the end of the RSV season.
High-risk children up to 24 months of age who can get very sick from RSV even in their second RSV season. This includes children with:
Chronic lung disease (CLD), including bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)/ chronic lung disease
Serious heart conditions, whether they cause low oxygen levels (cyanotic) or not.
Severe immune system problems that make it harder to fight infections.
Down syndrome (Trisomy 21).
Cystic fibrosis, especially if it affects their breathing or growth.
Neuromuscular disorders that make it hard to clear mucus from their lungs.
Severe congenital airway problems that also affect their ability to clear mucus.
If you are unsure whether your child is eligible, talk to your primary care provider.
Learn more about eligibility criteria from Ontario Ministry of Health.
How to get the RSV injection (Beyfortus) for infants and young children
The TW FHT will be offering the RSV injection to infants born April 1, 2025 or later during our RSV clinics:
Children less than 24 months of age who meet high risk criteria will be contacted in October to schedule an appointment for the RSV injection. If you do not receive a call and believe your child is eligible, please call the clinic and speak to a member of our nursing team.
Abrysvo is a RSV vaccine authorized for pregnant women between 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy who will deliver during the RSV season. It is used to actively immunize pregnant women by making antibodies in their body that fight RSV. These antibodies are passed to the baby through the placenta before birth. This gives the baby early protection from RSV during the first few months of life, when they are most vulnerable.
Abrysvo Eligibility criteria:
Any pregnant woman between 32 to 36 weeks pregnant, who is an Ontario resident and will deliver during the RSV season, is eligible to receive Abrysvo. Ontario Ministry of Health
This vaccine may be given to pregnant people between 32 to 36 weeks pregnant who deliver during the RSV season (from November 1st to March 31st).
It is preferred, if possible, that the infant receive the Beyfortus monoclonal antibody as this has shown to provide better protection to the infant.
If the Abrysvo vaccine is given during pregnancy, the monoclonal antibody is NOT recommended to be given to the infant except under specific circumstances.
How to get the RSV vaccine in pregnancy:
If you are pregnant, and meet eligibility criteria, ask your pregnancy provider about the vaccine.
High-risk older adult RSV Prevention Program
Ontario will continue the high-risk older adult RSV vaccine program that was introduced in 2023 with expanded eligibility in 2025-26. The vaccine is funded for adults 75 years and older, in addition to adults age 60 to 74 who meet high-risk criteria or reside in high-risk settings.
The Ontario RSV program publicly funds two Health Canada authorized products to help prevent RSV lower respiratory tract disease in older adults:
Abrysvo vaccine
Arexvy vaccine
Through Ontario’s publicly funded adult RSV prevention program, the full cost of RSV immunization is covered for Ontario residents who have not previously received a publicly funded RSV vaccine and are:
aged 75 and older
aged 60–74 and meet one of the following criteria:
resident of a long-term care home, Elder Care Lodge, or retirement home including similar settings (for example, co-located facilities)
patient in hospital receiving alternate level of care (ALC) including similar settings (for example, complex continuing care, hospital transitional programs)
patient with glomerulonephritis (GN) who is moderately to severely immunocompromised
patient receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
recipient of solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplants
individual who is homeless
individual who identifies as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis
If you received a RSV vaccine in the past, you do not need another vaccine this year.
How to get the RSV vaccine if you meet the criteria
Older adults who meet the criteria above will be able to get the RSV vaccine from their home care setting or from the TW FHT.
If you would like to learn more about the vaccine, book an appointment with your primary care provider (doctor or nurse practitioner) to discuss the vaccine.
If you do not meet the criteria above and are over the age of 60 but would like to discuss the RSV vaccine you can book an appointment with your primary care provider.
People that do not meet the adult criteria and want the RSV vaccine must get a prescription from your provider and pay out-of-pocket for it at a pharmacy. The cost may be covered if you have private drug coverage. In this case, you will need to get your vaccine from your pharmacy.
To note: Primary care providers cannot order publicly funded vaccine supply for patients wishing to purchase it privately.
Online resources:
Updated September 22, 2025