Ontario to expand the availability of RSV vaccine for seniors aged 75 and older this fall

Ontario Expands Public Coverage for RSV Vaccines to Protect Seniors
The Minister of Health in Ontario, Sylvia Jones, has announced a significant expansion of public coverage for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. Starting this fall, all Ontarians aged 75 and older will be eligible for a free shot that protects against RSV.
Previously, the government of Ontario only covered the RSV vaccine for seniors who were 60 and older and considered high risk, such as transplant recipients, dialysis patients, and nursing home residents. The province will continue to cover the RSV vaccine for pregnant women to protect their newborns, who are particularly vulnerable to the virus.
According to Jackson Jacobs, a spokesperson for Minister Jones, “Our government is committed to ensuring that people in the province have the tools they need to stay safe and healthy. Immunization against RSV has been shown to reduce serious outcomes and hospital admissions.”
RSV is a respiratory virus that typically circulates alongside influenza and COVID-19 during the winter months. While it is usually not more severe than a cold, RSV can lead to serious illness in infants and the elderly, often requiring hospitalization.
Until recently, there were no approved vaccines in Canada to prevent serious complications from RSV. However, three vaccines, including a new mRNA-based version, have been approved, with Health Canada giving the green light to the mRNA shot for RSV last year.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization strongly recommends RSV immunization for seniors aged 75 and older, as well as individuals aged 60 or older living in nursing homes or chronic care institutions. Public coverage for RSV vaccines varies by province, with some private insurance plans also covering the cost.
In addition to expanding coverage for seniors, provinces like Ontario, Quebec, and others have begun providing universal coverage of Nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody that protects newborns against RSV. This change aims to protect infants who are at high risk of severe illness from the virus.
A recent study on Quebec’s universal RSV immunization program for infants showed promising results, with over an 85% reduction in hospital admissions and intensive care visits for children. These efforts to expand access to RSV vaccines and antibodies are crucial in protecting vulnerable populations and reducing the burden on healthcare systems during the winter months.