Thursday, July 25, 2024
Ontario. Ministry of Health - [Toronto - University Avenue] - [Public Health Care]
Ontario Enhancing Protections for More People Throughout Fall Respiratory Illness Season
Expanded vaccine program to include more infants, high-risk children and pregnant women
The Ontario government is expanding the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) program to connect more infants, high-risk children and pregnant women to RSV vaccines that can help protect themselves and their loved ones during the fall respiratory illness season.
“Our government is taking steps to ensure Ontarians of all ages have the tools they need to be prepared and keep themselves and their loved ones safe and healthy,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By expanding the number of children eligible under the RSV prevention program, our government is making it easier for families to access the care and protection they need ahead of respiratory illness season.”
Starting this fall, families with infants and high-risk children up to 24 months old, will now have access to the new RSV immunization, Beyfortus®, through the publicly funded RSV prevention program. Pregnant women will also have the option to receive a single dose of Abrysvo®, an RSV vaccine that can provide protection for their infant from birth to six months of age. More details on the expanded RSV program, including where families will be able to access vaccines will be provided in the coming weeks.
“To be ready for this year's respiratory illness season, we all need to take the simple and effective steps to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities and our health care system,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. “RSV is a highly contagious virus that causes infections of the respiratory tract, especially in the very young and older members of our communities. By expanding the RSV prevention program to include all infants born in 2024 and high-risk children up to 24 months old through the 2024/25 RSV season, we can better protect them from the virus and prevent severe outcomes.”
Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is providing people with the tools they need early to connect to the care they need to keep themselves, and their loved ones safe and healthy.
Quick Facts:
- As Ontario, and the rest of the world, moves closer to respiratory illness season, more information will be available regarding when people can expect to receive their free flu shot and latest dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that causes cold symptoms in many infants and young children. Most children will experience at least one RSV infection by the age of two.
- The risk of severe outcomes from RSV infection is highest among infants under six months of age and children under 24 months of age with chronic conditions such as chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease, compromised immune systems, or neuromuscular disorders.
- In alignment with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, Beyfortus® is the preferred product to protect infants. Receiving both Abrysvo® and Beyfortus® is not expected to provide additional benefits.
- Sanofi’s Beyfortus® delivers passive immunization, providing protective antibodies to infants.
- Pregnant women should consult with their health care provider before receiving Abrysvo®.
- As part of the Ontario government’s historic $330 million investment in pediatric care, new rapid access clinics for children and youth were added at health care providers to provide families with faster and easier access to care during respiratory illness season.
- Immunizations are important to help protect children from serious illnesses. Help keep them healthy by making sure they get all recommended immunizations on time. Vaccines in Ontario’s routine immunization schedule are provided free of charge if you meet the eligibility criteria.
- All Ontarians should stay up to date on their immunizations, especially children. Talk to a health care provider or public health unit if you are unsure if your child has missed routine immunizations or if you are unsure about which immunizations they have received.
- Visit Health811 online or call 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007 toll free) for health advice and information 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Quotes:
"Sanofi commends the Government of Ontario for implementing a program to protect all babies and newborns from RSV beginning this fall with Beyfortus®(nirsevimab). The global impact of this disease has been felt in homes and healthcare facilities, touching the lives of countless families. Our commitment as a healthcare company is to bring innovative solutions to protect the health of Canadians and make a meaningful impact for the betterment of public health."
- Delphine Lansac, General Manager, Vaccines, Sanofi Canada
"We applaud Ontario for acknowledging the need to help protect all infants and offer comprehensive options to future parents. We are pleased by the decision to incorporate ABRYSVO® into their extended program, including pregnant persons and their infants. This development marks considerable progress in the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections among infants and Pfizer is prepared to support Ontario with this immunization program as well as other jurisdictions that follow Ontario’s lead."
- Najah Sampson, President, Pfizer Canada
"This new preventative therapy to prevent RSV infection in kids is an absolute game changer. In addition to keeping infants and children at higher risk safe, it has the promise to dramatically reduce hospitalizations during the viral surge season – a huge benefit to our health care system as a whole."
- Dr. Chris Simpson, Chief Medical Executive, Ontario Health
Additional Resources:
Media Contacts:
Hannah Jensen
Minister Jones’ Office
Hannah.R.Jensen@ontario.ca
Anna Miller
Communications Branch
media.moh@ontario.ca
416-314-6197
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