Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) Immunization Updates

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To: Local Health Care Providers

Maternal/infant/high-risk children: Seasonal program ends April 17

The 2025–26 maternal, infant, and high-risk children seasonal RSV immunization program ends April 17, 2026.

After this date, RSV vaccines should no longer be administered to infants, high-risk children, or pregnant individuals. Any remaining, non-expired inventory should be stored per cold chain requirements for use in the next RSV season.

Thank you to all our partners for your important efforts with this program. Preliminary data shows that age 0–4 hospitalizations for RSV are down almost 75% as compared to the years pre-immunization. This is a direct consequence of your efforts in this program!

Older adult RSV program continues year-round

The older adult RSV prevention program continues year-round for eligible individuals who have not previously received a publicly funded RSV vaccine. Eligible individuals include

• adults aged 75 years and older
• adults aged 60-74 years and who meet one of the following criteria:
  • resident of a long-term care home, Elder Care Lodge, or retirement home including similar settings (for example, co-located facilities)
  • patient in hospital receiving alternate level of care (ALC) including similar settings (for example, complex continuing care, hospital transitional programs)
  • patient with glomerulonephritis (GN) who is moderately to severely immunocompromised
  • patient receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
  • recipient of solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplants
  • individual who is homeless
  • individual who identifies as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis

Providers should continue to order and administer RSV vaccine to eligible older adults.

New billing code for RSV

Physicians are now encouraged to bill G849–RSV ($8.80) when administering RSV vaccines to eligible infants (first season), high-risk children, pregnant individuals, and eligible older adults, where applicable.

Reporting to Public Health

For more information, visit the Ministry of Health RSV webpage (Government of Ontario).

Sincerely,

Original Signed By

Emily Groot, MD, MPH, FRCPC (she/her)
Associate Medical Officer of Health