Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) | Huron Perth Public Health

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes respiratory illness affecting the lungs and airways, particularly among infants, young children, and older adults.

RSV Prevention Program

Starting in the fall of 2025, Ontario’s publicly funded RSV prevention program is offered to all individuals aged 75 years and older. This is in addition to the current high-risk eligibility criteria. Contact your primary health care provider to book an appointment.

The infant and high-risk children RSV prevention program will also be offered again in 2025. Beginning in October, HPPH will be providing RSV clinics only for infants born April 1, 2025 or after who are less than 8 months of age at the time of immunization and do not have a primary health care provider. Please call the Immunization Intake Line at 1-888-221-2133 ext. 3558 to book your appointment.

Click links below for additional information on the provincial RSV programs.

High-risk older adult RSV vaccine program

Infant and high-risk children RSV prevention program

If you are eligible and are interested in getting the RSV vaccine, talk to your primary healthcare provider.

Information for Healthcare Providers

Order RSV Products

All 3 products (Abrysvo, Arexvy or Beyfortus) are available for primary care providers to order starting Oct. 1, 2025 (RSV order form for hospital & healthcare providers).

As orders are processed and filled, they will be available for pickup or delivery around the normal routine ordering schedules. If offices would like products earlier than their scheduled delivery date, please contact the Inventory Program Administrative Assistants (Tanya or Cris) to discuss pick-up options.

RSV Products Available

Infant RSV protection program

Beyfortus (monoclonal antibody) Eligibility

Eligibility for Beyfortus®:  

Infants born April 1, 2025, or after AND less than 8 months of age up to the end of the RSV season.
High-risk children up to 24 months of age who remain vulnerable from severe RSV disease through their SECOND RSV season* with:  
- Note: Children who were less than 12 months of age and approved for coverage in the previous RSV season for CLD and BPD remain eligible, irrespective of their clinical status in the second RSV season.

Chronic lung disease (CLD), including bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)/chronic lung disease.
Hemodynamically significant cyanotic or acyanotic congenital heart disease  
Severe immunodeficiency  
Down syndrome/Trisomy 21  
Cystic fibrosis with respiratory involvement and/or growth delay 
Neuromuscular disease impairing the clearing of respiratory secretions  
Severe congenital airway anomalies impairing the clearing of respiratory secretions

*These children are eligible even if they received Beyfortus® during their first RSV season.

Current products available:

50mg Beyfortus (for infants under 11 pounds / 5 kg)
- Infants < 5kg are to receive one dose of 50 mg Beyfortus in 0.5 mL pre-filled syringe (100 mg/mL)
100mg Beyfortus
- Infants ≥ 11 pounds / 5kg are to receive one dose of 100 mg Beyfortus in 1 mL pre-filled syringe (100 mg/mL)

Eligibility for AbrysvoTM in Pregnancy (only in consultation with primary healthcare provider)

Pregnant individuals from 32 to 36 weeks gestational age if they will deliver prior to or during RSV season (generally from November 1st to March 31st, peaking in December). 
If AbrysvoTM is given during pregnancy, Beyfortus® is NOT recommended to be given to the infant except under specific circumstances:  
- Infants born less than 14 days after administration of AbrysvoTM
    OR
- Infants who meet the medical criteria for increased risk of severe RSV disease:  
  - All premature infants (i.e., < 37 weeks gestation)
  - Newborns who meet any of the above "high-risk" criteria

NOTE: In 2024-2025, parents who chose not to have their newborn vaccinated in hospital prior to discharge cited a desire to consult with their primary care provider first, therefore, HPPH recommends:

Discussing with your pregnant patients the recommendation for newborns to receive Beyfortus® prior to discharge from hospital/birthing centre.
Materials for patients and providers are available to support these discussions at Updated Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health Resources on RSV Prevention for Infants and High-Risk Children

Older adult RSV vaccine program

Starting in the fall of 2025, Ontario’s publicly funded RSV prevention program is offered to all individuals aged 75 years and older.

High risk eligibility:

Abrysvo (bivalent, subunit vaccine) Eligibility

Abrysvo, for age 60+ in Long Term Care Homes / Retirement Homes, ALC patients in hospital and select high risk groups (indigenous / underhoused / transplant / dialysis).
Multi-year protection, do not need to repeat if vaccinated last year

Arexvy (recombinant, adjuvanted vaccine) Eligibility

For age 60+ in Long Term Care Homes / Retirement Homes, ALC patients in hospital and select high risk groups (indigenous /underhoused/transplant/dialysis).
Multi-year protection, do not need to repeat if vaccinated last year

RSV Prevention Program Guidance for Healthcare Providers

Infant and High-risk Children Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Prevention Program Guidance for Health Care Providers | Ontario Ministry of Health

Older Adult High-Risk Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine Program Fact Sheet - Health Care Providers | Ontario Ministry of Health

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prevention Programs | Ontario Ministry of Health

RSV Prevention Resources for Patients

Please share the following with your patients who are considering RSV products:

For Parents and Expectant Parents: Protecting Your Child from RSV | Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health

Beyfortus Parent Brochure | Sanofi

Respiratory Syncytial Virus | Ontario Ministry of Health

For more information, please contact the HPPH Immunization Team at 1-888-221-2133 Ext. 3558