Risk groups: A respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is most severe in young babies and older adults and can sometimes lead to serious infections like pneumonia or bronchitis
FREE protection for eligible groups: Ontario is once again offering publicly funded (FREE) protection against RSV during the RSV season (October-April, peaking in December) for those who are eligible:
EVERYONE aged 75 and older - New for 2025-2026
Certain high-risk adults aged 60 to 74, such as residents of long-term care homes or retirement homes
Infants up to eight months of age in their first RSV season
High-risk children up to 24 months of age in their second season
COVID-19 and flu vaccines: For more information on the other respiratory illness vaccines, visit TBDHU.com/covidvax and TBDHU.com/fluvax.
For more information on the RSV program, please see below:
Risk: A significant number of infants and children under 2 are hospitalized each year in Ontario during RSV season, with many cases requiring intensive care stays.
Options: There are two options to protect infants and high risk children under 2 years available for FREE to Ontario residents who are eligible:
Infants: Medication called Beyfortus®
Pregnancy: Vaccine called AbrysvoTM
Beyfortus®
Medication: This medication is given by injection and contains monoclonal antibodies that mimic natural antibodies.
Infant eligibility: Infants born April 1, 2025 or after AND less than 8 months of age up to the end of the RSV season (March 31, 2026).
Medication availability: The medication will not be avaialble until October 1, 2025
High-risk children eligibility: Beyfortus® is also available for children up to 24 months of age who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease through their second RSV season, following discussion with a health care provider. The Ontario Ministry of Health Beyfortus® fact sheet will be posted here once available and includes list of health conditions that make children vulnerable.
As soon as available: It is strongly recommended to receive this protection as soon as it is available to maximize protection BEFORE the virus begins to circulate in the fall season.
Options to receive: See the section at the end of this web page.
More information: The Ontario Ministry of Health Beyfortus® fact sheets will be posted here once available.
AbrysvoTM
Eligibility: This vaccine is given to pregnant individuals between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy if they will deliver near the start of or during RSV season (November-April).
Options: Discuss options with a health care provider.
More information: The Ontario Ministry of Health Health Beyfortus® fact sheets will be posted here once available.
Recommendations
Beyforus® is recommended: The monoclonal antibody approach to protecting infants is recommended by Canadian immunization experts based on the safety profile of the medication, how well it works and how long the protection lasts over vaccination in pregnancy.
Immunity provided: The Ontario Ministry of Health Health Beyfortus® fact sheets will be posted here once available and will provide more information on the immunity provided the medication.
Receiving both not necessary: Receiving both AbrysvoTM and Beyfortus® (monoclonal antibody) is not necessary unless the infant is high-risk (e.g., certain medical conditions such as cardiac disease).
Options: Pregnant people should discuss their options with their health care provider.
Received an RSV vaccine in the past?
Additional dose not needed: Anyone who received an RSV vaccine in the last two years does not need another dose.
Multi-year protection: Studies show multi-year protection. The timing for another dose is unknown at this time but studies are ongoing to determine how long the vaccines provide protection.
Products: There are two RSV products (Arexvy® an Abrysvo®) available for FREE to those who are eligible.
Anyone 75 or older eligible: New for 2025-2026, anyone who is 75 or older is now eligible.
Those 60 to 74 who meet criteria eligible: Those who are 60 to 74 years of age AND also meet specific criteria are eligible:
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
Options to receive: See the section at the end of this web page.
More information: The Ontario Ministry of Health High Risk Older Adult RSV vaccine fact sheet will be posted here once available.
Please see details below based on eligibility.
75 and older - New for 2025-2026
This vaccine WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE from PHARMACIES.
Available:
When: Beginning in September
How – Thunder Bay and surrounding rural communities:
Health care providers: book an appointment with your health care provider
TBDHU clinics: Book online in a TBDHU RSV clinic. Appointments will be available by mid-September.
How – District communities:
More information will be posted once it is available
NOTE: Individuals in this age range living in a long-term care, retirement home or assisted living for seniors home has been eligible for the past two seasons. If they have not received the vaccine in the past, they will be offered again this year.
Infants
Available:
When: Early-October, 2025
Receive as soon as possible: It is strongly recommended to receive this protection as soon as it is available to maximize protection BEFORE the virus begins to circulate in the fall season.
How – Thunder Bay and surrounding rural communities:
TBRHSC: Offered at birth
Health care provider: Book an appointment with your provider
TBDHU: Book online in a TBDHU RSV clinic. Appointments will be available by mid-September.
How – District communities:
Health care provider: Contact your health care provider.
TBDHU: Families unable to access the vaccine through their provider should call their nearest branch office.
Pregnant
Pregnant individuals should discuss this option with their health care provider.
Long-term care residents
Available: Starting September 2025
Provider: Staff in long-term care homes will provide the vaccine to residents. Please ask staff for more information and a schedule.
Residents of retirement home and assisted living for seniors facility
Available: Starting September 2025
Provider: Community providers visiting the homes will provide the vaccine. Please ask staff for more information and a schedule
Patients in hospital receiving an alternate level of care (ALC)
More information will be available soon
Patients receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
Not eligible for publicly funded: People who are not eligible for the publicly funded vaccines (as listed above) and are at least 60 years old can order the RSV vaccine and pay out of pocket with a prescription from their health care provider, even if they don’t belong to any of the priority groups listed above.
Private insurance: The Ontario Ministry of Health does not reimburse but some private insurers may cover all or part of the cost of the vaccine.
TBDHU will not administer: This vaccine CANNOT be brought to TBDHU to receive.
Pharmacist may be able to give: Your pharmacist may be able to administer it. Confirm with your pharmacy if they can administer the RSV vaccine to you.
Prescribing health care provider: If the pharmacist is not able to adminster, book a follow up appointment with the health care provider who prescribed the vaccine.
This page provides basic information only. It must not take the place of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to a health care professional about any health concerns.
For Further Information
Call (807) 625-5900 or toll-free 1-888-294-6630 to speak with a nurse about the vaccine options OR ask for an infectious disease nurse if you have questions about an RSV infection.
