Ontario – Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is providing people with the tools they need to stay safe and healthy throughout respiratory illness season.
The risk of severe outcomes from RSV infection is highest among those over the age of 60, infants under six months of age and children under 24 months of age with chronic conditions such as chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease, compromised immune systems, or neuromuscular disorders.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that causes cold symptoms in many infants and young children. Most children will experience at least one RSV infection by the age of two. As part of the Ontario government’s historic $330 million investment in pediatric care, new rapid access clinics for children and youth were added at health care provider settings to provide families with faster and easier access to care during respiratory illness season.
In alignment with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, Beyfortus® is the preferred product to protect infants. Receiving both Abrysvo® and Beyfortus® is not expected to provide additional benefits.
Vaccines in Ontario’s routine immunization schedule are provided free of charge if you meet the eligibility criteria. If you are unsure about which immunizations you or your family have received or are eligible for, talk to your health care provider or public health unit.
To reduce the risk of spreading illness, individuals are advised to wash their hands often, cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze, clean surfaces and shared items regularly, and stay at home when sick. Visit Health811 online or call 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007 toll free) for health advice and information 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Let’s stay up to date on our vaccines. That is why it is so important for all of our seniors, older adults and everyone living in retirement homes to roll up their sleeves and get their vaccines. Getting our flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines will go a long way to keeping everyone safe, healthy and avoid visits to the hospital this fall or winter.” – Raymond Cho, Ontario’s Minister for Seniors and Accessibility