Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine Program for High-Risk Older Adults
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that infects the lungs and airways (breathing passages). RSV is a major cause of lower respiratory illness, particularly among young children (2 years old or younger) and older adults (60 years old or older). RSV is usually a mild disease that goes away on its own. However, RSV can sometimes lead to serious infections like pneumonia or bronchiolitis in very young children and older adults.
To learn more about the signs and symptoms of RSV, as well as the RSV Prophylaxis Program for High-Risk Infants, visit the government of Ontario’s page on Respiratory Syncytial Virus.
Information about the RSV Vaccine
The only RSV vaccine that is currently authorized for use in Canada is Arexvy® (manufactured by GSK). This vaccine is approved for use in adults aged 60 years old or older to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV.
Arexvy® is safe and over 82% effective in reducing the risk of developing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease in people who are 60 years old or older.
It is normal to experience some common, mild and temporary symptoms after immunization. Common side effects may include: soreness, swelling and/or redness at the injection site, mild fever, and fatigue.
As with all vaccines, there is a chance that there will be a serious side effect, but these are rare. If you develop any serious side effects (trouble breathing, high fever, hives) within 3 days of receiving the vaccine, seek medical attention immediately.
Eligible individuals should get the RSV vaccine at least 14 days before or after receiving other vaccines, including COVID and flu. This is a precaution to avoid mistakenly connecting reactions (if they occur) to the wrong vaccine.
Getting an RSV Vaccine
Ontario recently launched an RSV prevention program that is ONLY for people who are at higher risk of serious complications from RSV or who live in settings at higher risk from RSV.
Under this program, the RSV vaccine is available for FREE to anyone who is 60 years old or older AND a member of any of the following groups:
Living in long-term care homes, including Elder Care Lodges and retirement homes licensed to provide dementia care
A hospital alternate level of care (ALC) patient
A dialysis patient
A transplant recipient
Experiencing homelessness
Indigenous
The chart below provides an overview of where different eligible groups can access publicly funded RSV Vaccine. If you belong to one of these groups, please reach out to your health care provider or specialist for more details about how to get the RSV vaccine.
Priority Group
RSV Vaccine Provider
Long-term care residents
Long-term care homes have been distributing publicly funded RSV vaccine to their residents. Please ask long-term care home staff for more information about their RSV vaccine program.
Patients in hospital receiving an alternate level of care (ALC)
The hospital will be administering this vaccine to eligible patients; please contact hospital staff for more information.
Patients receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) will be administering this vaccine through Renal Services.
If you cannot receive the RSV vaccine through TBRHSC, refer to the ALL PRIORITY GROUPS section below.
Please follow up with your health care provider to see if they can administer the RSV vaccine.
If you do not have a health care provider or they cannot administer the RSV vaccine, refer to the ALL PRIORITY GROUPS section below.
People experiencing homelessness
In Thunder Bay, Norwest Community Health Centre will be offering this vaccine to eligible rostered patients, including those experiencing homelessness. TBDHU Street Outreach will also be offering this vaccine to people experiencing homelessness.
Follow up with a health care provider to receive the RSV vaccine.
No health care provider?
In Thunder Bay, TBDHU is also offering the RSV vaccine by appointment to eligible people who do not have a health care provider. To make an appointment, call 807-625-5900 and ask to speak to the Immunization program.
In District Communities, most Family Health Teams can provide publicly funded RSV vaccine to all eligible community members, rostered or not. Contact your local branch office if your Family Health Team cannot offer you publicly funded RSV vaccine.
People who are at least 60 years old can order the RSV vaccine for a cost with a prescription from their health care provider, even if they don’t belong to any of the priority groups listed above.
This vaccine CANNOT be brought to the Health Unit for administration. Your pharmacist may be able to administer it. Confirm with your pharmacy if they can administer the RSV vaccine to you, and if not book a follow up appointment with the prescribing health care provider.
Questions?
Call 1-888-294-6630 (toll-free) or your closest branch office. In Thunder Bay, you can dial (807) 625-5900 and ask to speak to a vaccine nurse.
