Launch of RSV immunization campaign for infants and high-risk children

Ottawa Public Health (OPH), CHEO, and local birthing hospitals – including The Ottawa Hospital, Hôpital Montfort, and Queensway Carleton Hospital – are urging parents to immunize eligible infants and high-risk children against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this fall.

RSV is a common virus that affects the lungs and airways and is the most common cause of a chest infection called bronchiolitis. While many infants and young children with RSV can recover quickly, some may develop a severe infection that can be life threatening and can lead to hospitalization. RSV remains one of the most frequent reasons for hospitalizations among children under the age of one.

Ontario’s publicly funded program uses a monoclonal antibody, Beyfortus®, or a prenatal vaccine, Abrysvo™, to protect infants from severe RSV disease. Beyfortus® is an immunization product given directly to eligible infants just before or during the RSV season, typically from November to April. Abrysvo™ is a vaccine given to pregnant people in their third trimester to pass on protection to their newborns. The monoclonal antibody, Beyfortus®, is the preferred product for RSV prevention for infants.

Starting October 1, Beyfortus® will be available to infants and high-risk children who meet one of the following criteria: 

• Infants born on, or after, April 1, 2025, and are less than eight months of age at the time of immunization, up to the end of RSV season. 

Beyfortus® will be offered at all local birthing hospitals at time of delivery and through midwives for births in the community outside the hospital. 

• For infants under eight months old and born before RSV season, parents are encouraged to speak to their health care provider. OPH will offer Beyfortus® to infants who do not have a regular health care provider. Appointment bookings for this service are available through Kids Come First - Vaccinate and Up-to Date Clinic.    
• Children up to 24 months old meet the following high-risk criteria for severe RSV infection through their second RSV season: 
  • chronic lung disease of prematurity (CLD), including bronchopulmonary dysplasia/chronic lung disease; 
  • hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease (CHD); 
  • severe immunodeficiency; 
  • Down Syndrome/Trisomy 21; 
  • cystic fibrosis with respiratory involvement and/or growth delay; 
  • neuromuscular disease; and 
  • severe congenital airway anomalies impairing the clearing of respiratory secretion. 

This immunization can be given by pediatricians, primary care providers, in hospital or outpatient clinics. OPH will not be administering Beyfortus® to high-risk children. 

Starting October 1, Abrysvo™ is available to pregnant persons between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation who are expected to deliver during the RSV season, from November through April, following consultation with their health care provider. Giving the monoclonal antibody to an infant is the recommended approach over vaccination in pregnancy to protect infants. Abrysvo™ is not available through OPH clinics. Generally, only one product is recommended. Receiving both products is not expected to provide additional benefit for most infants.

The Province’s Older Adult RSV Prevention Program is also rolling out this fall. For more information about respiratory illness season, including RSV, influenza (flu), and COVID-19 please visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/RespVirus. You can also connect with OPH on Facebook, Bluesky and Instagram.

“Protecting our youngest residents is a shared responsibility and I am thankful to see Ottawa Public Health, CHEO, and our local hospitals working together to make RSV immunization accessible to families across our city. I encourage parents of eligible children to take advantage of this important prevention program and help keep our children safe this respiratory season.”

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, City of Ottawa  

“RSV remains a leading cause of hospitalization in infants, but we now have effective tools to prevent severe illness. With Beyfortus® and Abrysvo™, we can offer protection to infants, high-risk children, and newborns born during RSV season. I urge families to take advantage of these vaccines to protect those who are most vulnerable.”

Dr. Trevor Arnason, Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public Health  

"RSV can have a serious impact on infants and children and we unfortunately see it each year at CHEO, especially in our Emergency Department. The best way to protect our most vulnerable patients is through immunization. We encourage all parents, caregivers and families to take advantage of the RSV program and do everything in their power to avoid a trip to hospital."

Dr. Vera Etches, President and CEO, CHEO

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