Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

You can get the vaccine from your health care provider, at your local community health centre, or at your long-term care home or elder lodge.

Durham Region Health Department will be offering appointments between October 28, 2026 to November 25, 2026, to all eligible Durham Region Residents seeking COVID-19 vaccines, Influenza vaccines and/or Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccines who are unable to access respiratory vaccines through their health care provider, long-term care home, elder care lodge, retirement home or hospital setting. Book an appointment.

• Abrysvo® to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in people 60 years of age and older.
• Through the High-Risk Older Adult Vaccine Program, the RSV vaccine is publicly funded for all individuals 75 years and older, as well as individuals 60 to 74 years of age who meet the following high-risk criteria:
  • Residents of long-term care homes, elder care lodges or retirement homes.
  • Individuals in hospital receiving alternate level of care (ALC), including similar settings.
  • Recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplant within the past two years or with ongoing immunosuppression.
  • Individuals on home oxygen or requiring chronic oxygen therapy, regardless of residence.
  • Individuals receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
  • Individuals experiencing homelessness.
  • Individuals who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis.
  • Patients with glomerulonephritis (GN) who are moderately to severely immunocompromised.
• Adults aged 60 years and older that don’t qualify for the free RSV vaccine, can still purchase the vaccine with a prescription from their primary care provider.
• RSV vaccines can be co-administered with other vaccines.
• Individuals do not need to receive an additional dose if they already received one last season.

NACI recognizes both Beyfortus® and Abrysvo® are effective strategies for preventing severe RSV in infants. Health Care Providers (HCP) may offer either Beyfortus® to eligible infants or Abrysvo® to pregnant individuals for 2026-27 respiratory season.

Beyfortus® Criteria for infants and children:

• Born April 1 or after who are less than eight months of age at the time of immunization.
• Children less than 24 months of age who are vulnerable to severe RSV disease following a discussion with a healthcare provider, including children with:
  • Chronic lung disease including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, defined by the need for ongoing respiratory support and supplemental oxygen therapy.
  • Hemodynamically significant cyanotic or acyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD) defined as infants requiring corrective surgery or are on cardiac medication for congestive heart failure or diagnosed with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension.
  •  Severe immunodeficiency.
  • Down syndrome/Trisomy 21.
  • Cystic fibrosis with recurrent pulmonary exacerbations requiring hospitalization, deteriorating pulmonary function and/or severe growth delay.
  • Neuromuscular disease impairing clearing of respiratory secretions.
  • Severe congenital airway anomalies impairing the clearing of respiratory secretions.

RSVpreF (Abrysvo®) criteria for pregnant individuals:

• Abrysvo® is authorized by Health Canada for pregnant individuals 32-36 weeks gestation.
• Administration before 32 weeks (i.e. 28-32 weeks) is considered off-label and administration is based on clinical judgement of the health care provider.
• Administration of both RSVpreF (Abrysvo®) during pregnancy and nirsevimab (Beyfortus®) to the infant is NOT routinely recommended, except in the following circumstances:
  • Infants born less than 14 days after administration of RSVpreF (Abrysvo®)
    OR
  • Infants at increased risk of severe RSV disease, including:
    • All premature infants (i.e., less than 37 weeks gestation)
  • Infants who meet any of the above high-risk criteria

• An RSV vaccine, Abrysvo®, is available for pregnant people to help prevent RSV infections in infants
• The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends prioritizing the use of Beyfortus® (nirservimab) for better infant protection against RSV compared to vaccination of the mother during pregnancy due to its effectiveness and long-lasting protection for the infant.
• Pregnant individuals who do not wish or are unable to have their infant receive Beyfortus® at birth may choose to receive a single dose of the RSV vaccine (Abrysvo™) between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. The vaccine helps to create antibodies in the pregnant individual’s immune system to protect the baby from RSV from birth until six months old. It is given near the start of or during the RSV season.
• If an RSV vaccine was administered during pregnancy, it is not recommended for the infant to receive an RSV product at birth, except in certain circumstances.
• Please speak to a health care provider to determine the best approach for you and your unborn infant.

• The majority of RSV infections typically resolve by themselves within one to two weeks.
• Symptoms may be managed at home:
  • Over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Do not given aspirin to children.
  • Drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration.
  • Speak to your health care provider before giving your child non-prescription cold medicines.
• RSV can cause severe illness in some individuals. Call a health care professional if you or your child is having difficulty breathing, not drinking enough fluids, or experiencing worsening symptoms.

• Ontario Ministry of Health: Respiratory Syncytial Virus
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): Canadian Immunization Guide
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV)
• Information for parents from Canada’s pediatricians