Ontario will begin offering respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations to all residents aged 75 and older starting this fall, expanding its publicly funded immunization program ahead of the annual respiratory illness season. The announcement was made by Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sylvia Jones, who confirmed that the vaccines will be provided at no cost to eligible seniors. The decision marks a significant development in the province’s efforts to reduce the burden of RSV among older adults, a group considered at elevated risk for severe complications from the virus.
RSV, a common respiratory infection, can lead to serious illness in vulnerable populations, including seniors and infants. Health Canada has authorized several RSV vaccines for older adults, including GSK’s Arexvy, Pfizer’s Abrysvo, and Moderna’s mRESVIA, though Ontario has not confirmed which of these will be distributed through the provincial program. Previously, Ontario’s RSV vaccination efforts were limited to select high-risk groups. These included infants in their first RSV season, children up to 24 months who remain at high risk in their second season, and adults aged 60 to 74 with certain medical conditions.
The updated eligibility aligns with the Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s 2025 guidelines, which recommend a single RSV vaccine dose for all individuals aged 75 and above. The province has not yet disclosed the official start date for the expanded rollout or details regarding appointment scheduling and distribution locations. However, officials indicated that these logistical elements will be communicated to the public in the weeks ahead. The immunization effort is expected to coincide with the onset of the fall respiratory virus season, which typically begins in late October.
Ontario expands eligibility for publicly funded RSV vaccines
Ontario recorded a notable increase in RSV-related hospital admissions among older adults during the previous respiratory virus season. According to data from provincial health authorities, seniors represented a significant proportion of hospitalizations due to RSV-related complications. The expansion of the vaccine program is intended to mitigate the impact on both individual health outcomes and the broader healthcare system. The RSV vaccines approved for use in Canada were evaluated in multiple late-stage clinical trials involving thousands of participants aged 60 and older.
Health Canada’s authorizations were granted after the data showed strong efficacy in preventing lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in older adults, with safety profiles deemed acceptable for this age group. Dr. Fahad Razak, an internal medicine specialist at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto and a former scientific advisor to the Ontario COVID-19 Science Table, noted that RSV poses a higher risk to people over 75, similar to the risks associated with influenza and COVID-19 in older populations. The addition of RSV vaccination to Ontario’s existing respiratory virus prevention strategy is expected to support public health efforts to protect seniors this fall.
High-risk populations prioritized in earlier rollout phases
Ontario’s announcement follows a broader shift in public health policy across Canada, where several provinces are evaluating or implementing RSV immunization plans for seniors. The national immunization guidelines reflect growing awareness of RSV’s impact on older adults, particularly those with underlying medical conditions. The new eligibility criteria for free RSV vaccination in Ontario will simplify access for more than 800,000 residents aged 75 and older, based on provincial demographic data.
The vaccine is anticipated to be available through pharmacies, primary care providers, and public health units, similar to the distribution model used for COVID-19 and influenza vaccines. The provincial government has indicated that it will provide further information about vaccine availability, booking procedures, and participating healthcare locations before the program launches. The RSV immunization effort will run in parallel with Ontario’s seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccination campaigns. – By Content Syndication Services.