RSV Vaccines: Health Care Providers

 

2026/2027 Respiratory Illness Season - RSV Vaccines

Adults 
  • Eligibility: Vaccines can be ordered and administered year-round to those 75 and older as well as those 60-74 years who meet certain criteria; see below for a list
  • One dose: The RSV vaccine has demonstrated multi-year protection and is authorized as a single dose (i.e., no boosters). 
Infants and high risk children up to 24 months
  • Infants: Infants born April 1, 2026 or after and less than 8 months of age at the time of immunization.
  • Pregnant People: Eligible for those between 28 and 36 weeks gestation who are expected to deliver during the RSV season, following a discussion with a health care provider.
  • High-Risk children: Children less than 24 months of age who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease based on a set of criteria, following a discussion with their pediatric specialist; see below for a list.
  • Start Date: October 1, 2026
Vaccine orders:
Public Information: 
Other vaccines:

 

Older Adults

Highlights of Changes:

  • Updated eligibility: Update to RSV eligibility to align with the National Advisory Committee on immunization (NACI) regarding home oxygen or chronic oxygen therapy and haemopoietic stem cell transplant timing.
  • Single Dose: The RSV vaccine has demonstrated multi-year protection and is authorized as a single dose (i.e., no boosters). 
  • Administer outside RSV season: Due to the multi-year protection, the vaccine can be administered outside the RSV season. 
  • Order ongoing: RSV vaccine doses should continue to be ordered through your usual supply chain (i.e., how you order RSV and other vaccines).
Eligibility

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.

Ontario’s publicly funded RSV prevention program eligibility for the 2026-27 fall season will be as follows:

  • Individuals aged 75 and older
  •  Individuals aged 60–74 who are also: 
    • Residents of a long-term care home, Elder Care Lodge, or retirement home 
      including similar settings e.g., co-located facilities
    • 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, regardless of 
      residence
    • Patients in hospital receiving alternate level of care (ALC) including similar settings 
      (e.g., complex continuing care, hospital transitional programs) 
    • Patients with glomerulonephritis (GN) who is moderately to severely 
      immunocompromised 
    • Patients receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis 
    • Recipients of solid organ transplants 
    • Individuals experiencing homelessness
    • Individuals who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis (FNIM)
Products
  • Two vaccines: Arexvy and Abrysvo are authorized by Health Canada and used in the Ontario program
  • More information: See pages 1 and 2 of the Health Care Provider Guidance for older adults
Ordering Vaccine
Public/Patient Resources

 

Infants, children up to 24 months and pregnant people
  • Successful two seasons with Beyfortus®: With the significant positive outcomes (i.e. high uptake and reduced hospitalizations) observed through Ontario's RSV prevention program over the past two respiratory illness seasons, Ontario will continue to offer nirsevimab (Beyfortus®) for eligible infants and high-risk children based on demonstrated effectiveness, and duration of protection.
  • Abrysvo® for eligible pregnant people: For those interested in an alternative approach, RSVpreF (Abrysvo®) is another safe and effective option to help protect infants against RSV. 
    • It may be administered to eligible pregnant women between 28 and 36 weeks gestation to provide protection to infants through the transfer of maternal antibodies before birth. 
    • The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends administration between 28 and 36 weeks gestation based on available safety and efficacy evidence. 
    • This recommendation supports broader access and opportunities for immunization. 
    • Abrysvo® is authorized by Health Canada for use between 32 and 36 weeks gestation; administration before 32 weeks gestation is considered off-label and is subject to the sole clinical judgment of the health care provider. 
  • Launches October 1: Administration of nirsevimab (Beyfortus®) and RSVpreF (Abrysvo®) under the infant RSV prevention program may begin on October 1. 
  • Ends on March 31, 2027: The RSV season typically concludes on March 31, and RSV immunizing agents for the infant program should not be administered after this date. 
  • Extension: If seasonal epidemiology warrants a change, the ministry will provide notice of the revised end date for the infant RSV prevention program.
Guidance/Factsheet

The 2026/2027 factsheet includes two updates:

  • Updated product information.
  • Updated timing for vaccination in pregnancy.
Infants 
  • Nirsevimab (Beyfortus®): Available for infants born April 1 or after and less than 8 months of age at the time of immunization
Children less than 24 months
  • Nirsevimab (Beyfortus®): Available for children less than 24 months of age who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease, following a discussion with their pediatric specialist including children with: 
    • Chronic lung disease (CLD), including bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), defined by need for ongoing respiratory support and supplemental oxygen therapy at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (gestational age at birth plus chronological age) or discharged home, if earlier. 
      • Note: Children who were less than 12 months of age and approved for coverage in the previous RSV season for chronic lung disease and bronchopulmonary dysplasia remain eligible, irrespective of their clinical status in the second RSV season. 
    • Hemodynamically significant cyanotic or acyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD) defined as infants requiring corrective surgery or are on cardiac medication for congestive heart failure or diagnosed with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension. 
    • Severe immunodeficiency o Down syndrome/Trisomy 21 
    • Cystic fibrosis with recurrent pulmonary exacerbations requiring hospitalization, deteriorating pulmonary function and/or severe growth delay o Neuromuscular disease impairing clearing of respiratory secretions 
    • Severe congenital airway anomalies impairing the clearing of respiratory secretions 
Pregnant People
  • Abrysvo® for eligible pregnant people: For those interested in an alternative approach, RSVpreF (Abrysvo®) is another safe and effective option to help protect infants against RSV. 
    • 28-36 weeks: It may be administered to eligible pregnant people between 28 and 36 weeks gestation to provide protection to infants through the transfer of maternal antibodies before birth. 
    • Broader access: This recommendation supports broader access and opportunities for immunization. 
    • Before 32 weeks: Abrysvo® is authorized by Health Canada for use between 32 and 36 weeks gestation; administration before 32 weeks gestation is considered off-label and is subject to the sole clinical judgment of the health care provider. 
Ordering Vaccine
Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health - Recoures

Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers: Provides current information on Ontario’s RSV prevention program, including eligibility, administration, safety and effectiveness, shared decision-making considerations, and resources to support patient counselling and implementation in practice

Webpage: 

RSV QR Code Poster: 

  • This poster is designed for healthcare spaces and includes QR codes linking directly to the parent fact sheet in multiple languages.

 

Public/Patient Resources
  • RSV Vaccines: Public Factsheets 
  • TBDHU Public Web Page
  • Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health - Factsheets to support shared decision-making conversations
    • General - This factsheet provides information about RSV, its risks for infants and high-risk children, and the two immunization options available in Ontario and is avalable to  Please share to support shared decision-making conversations. 

    • Fact Sheet for Indigenous Parents, Caregivers and Families - Developed in collaboration with the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC), this fact sheet provides culturally relevant information about RSV, available prevention options, and additional ways to protect children, families, and communities.

  • RSV QR Code Poster: This poster is designed for healthcare spaces and includes QR codes linking directly to the parent fact sheet in multiple languages.

 

 

Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI)
CIG and Product Monographs 

 

Questions

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