Respiratory Illness

Additional Information

Staying up to date with your vaccines is just one of the ways to protect yourself, your family, and your community this respiratory illness season.  

Beginning the week of September 22, Ontario residents aged 60 to 74 who meet certain high-risk criteria or live in specific higher-risk settings, as well as those aged 75 and older, are eligible to receive an RSV vaccine, where only one dose is needed, as part of the province’s recent expansion to the adult RSV prevention program. 

Starting October 1, eligible newborns and infants up to eight (8) months of age in their first RSV season and high-risk children up to 24 months of age in their second RSV season, as well as pregnant women, may be eligible to receive an RSV immunization. Parents are encouraged to speak with their primary care providers about which immunization their newborn or infant may be eligible for. 

See the full list of high-risk and priority groups on the Ontario government website.

Remember to practice the basic actions that can help provide additional layers of protection. These basic actions include: 

• Staying up to date with immunizations, including COVID-19 and flu
• Staying home when you are sick
• Practicing good hand hygiene and regularly cleaning surfaces
• Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze
• Considering wearing a mask, particularly if you are at high risk
• If you are at high-risk, speak with your health care provider about antiviral treatment options in case you get sick
• Optimize indoor air quality and spend time outdoors if possible