South East Health Unit recommends all those 75 and up, those eligible, to protect themselves against RSV.
The Ontario government has expanded the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) prevention program to include all individuals aged 75 years and older, helping to protect those most vulnerable during the upcoming respiratory illness season. Older adults, particularly those with existing health conditions, are more susceptible to severe disease and have an increased risk of RSV-related hospitalization and death.
The South East Health Unit (SEHU) recommends that those who are eligible for RSV protection get vaccinated this respiratory season.
“The RSV vaccine is safe and effective in helping prevent serious disease from RSV infection in high-risk populations, like for those over the age of 75,” said Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Deputy Medical Officer of Health for SEHU. “It’s important for those who meet the eligibility criteria to take this opportunity to protect themselves from serious complications of the virus.”
Eligible individuals include those who are:
75 years of age and older
60 to 74 years of age, who meet high-risk criteria, including:
Residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, or Elder Care Lodges
Patients in hospital receiving alternate level of care (ALC)
Patients receiving dialysis
Solid organ or stem cell transplant recipients
Individuals experiencing homelessness
Individuals who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis
Where can I get my vaccine?
Speak to your health-care provider about getting your RSV vaccine. Currently, pharmacies do not administer RSV immunizations as part of Ontario’s publicly funded immunization program.
If you do not have a health-care provider, SEHU is offering RSV vaccine clinics across the region for eligible individuals. Appointments can be booked at:
HPE: call 613-966-5500
KFL&A: call 613-549-1232
LGL: call 1-800-660-5853 extension 2313
Do I need another dose if I received the RSV vaccine last season?
If you received an RSV vaccine previously, you do not need another dose this season. Studies show multi-year protection from the vaccination, and the timing for future doses is still under review.
For more information about the RSV vaccine, and the infant RSV vaccination program please visit our RSV page.
(PAUL MARTIN)
