RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus); including protection for infants and high risk older adults

To learn more, check out these resources:

• Ontario Ministry of Health Respiratory Syncytial Virus webpage 
• Ontario Ministry of Health RSV fact sheet 

There are two options to protect infants and high risk children under 2 years available for FREE to Ontario residents who are eligible:

1. Medication given to infants called Beyfortus®
2. Vaccine given during pregnancy called Abrysvo^TM

Beyfortus®

• This medication is given by injection and contains monoclonal antibodies that mimic natural antibodies.
• Infants born at any time during 2024 are eligible, this includes those born during RSV season (October 2024 to April 2025).
• This product is also available for children up to 24 months of age who remain vulnerable from severe RSV disease through their second RSV season, following discussion with a health care provider. See page 2 of the Ontario Ministry of Health Beyfortus^TM fact sheet for a list of health conditions that make children vulnerable.
• 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.
• See the Ontario Ministry of Health Beyfortus® fact sheet for more information.

Abrysvo^TM 

• 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).
• Discuss options with a health care provider.
• See the Ontario Ministry of Health Abrysyo^TM fact sheet for more information. 

Recommendations

• The monoclonal antibody approach to protecting infants with the Beyfortus^TM medication is recommended over vaccination in pregnancy.  
• 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. 
• To learn more about the immunity provided by these medications, see the Ontario Ministry of Health Immunity fact sheet.
• Receiving both Abrysvo^TM and Beyfortus® (monoclonal antibody) is not necessary unless the infant is high-risk (e.g., certain medical conditions such as cardiac disease).
• Pregnant people should discuss their options with their health care provider.

There are two RSV products (Arexvy®  and Abrysvo®) available for FREE to any resident of Ontario who is 60 years old or older AND a member of any of the following groups:

• residents of long-term care homes, Elder Care Lodges, or retirement homes
• patients in hospital receiving alternate level of care (ALC) including similar settings (for example, complex continuing care, hospital transitional programs)
• patients receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
• recipients of solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplants
• those experiencing homelessness
• those who identify as Indigenous including First Nations, Inuit, or Métis

Learn more about the two vaccines by reviewing Ontario’s High Risk Older Adult RSV vaccine fact sheet (FR).

Please see details below based on eligibility.

Infants

Available: 

• The vaccine will be available mid-October, 2024.
• 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. 

Born January to September: 

• Thunder Bay and surrounding rural communities: Contact your health care provider OR make an appointment for a TBDHU clinic to be held at 999 Balmoral Street this fall by calling (807) 625-5908.
• District communities: contact your health care provider. Families unable to access the vaccine through their provider should call their nearest branch office.

Born after October 2024: 

• Infants will receive medication in hospital.
• If the medication is not received in hospital, contact your health care provider.
• For those unable to access through their health care provider - Make an appointment for a TBDHU clinic to be held at 999 Balmoral Street this fall by calling (807) 625-5908 OR contact your nearest branch office to speak with a nurse about your options if you live in a district community.

Pregnant 

• Available: Currently available.
• Provider: Discuss with your health care provider.

Long-term care residents

• Available: Starting August 2024
• 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 facilities

• Available: As of end of September to early October 2024.
• 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)

• Available: Starting end of September 
• Provider: More information  will be available soon  

Patients receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis

• Available: Starting end of September 
• Provider: More information  will be available soon              

Transplant recipients (including stem cell transplants)

• Available: Starting end of September 
• Provider: More information  will be available soon 

People experiencing homelessness

• Available: Starting end of September 
• Provider: More information  will be available soon            

Indigenous people

• Available: Starting end of September 
• Provider: Indigenous service providers in First Nations communities and in Thunder Bay will be offering RSV vaccine to eligible clients. This includes nursing stations, community health clinics, Dilico Anishnabek Family Care, Anishbawbe Mushkiki, the ONWA Mindimooyenh Health Clinic and Matawa Health Co-operative.         

People who 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.

The Ontario Ministry of  Health does not reimburse but some private insurers may cover all or part of the cost of the vaccine.
This vaccine CANNOT be brought to TBDHU 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.