Updates - RSV Prevention and COVID-19 Vaccine Programs this Spring

To: Health Care Professionals in Niagara
From: Clinical Services Division, Niagara Region Public Health
Reference: Updates - RSV prevention and COVID-19 vaccine programs this spring
Date: April 10, 2025

This memo provides an update on the status of Ontario’s Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) prevention programs and COVID-19 vaccination program for spring 2025.

Infant and High-risk Children RSV Prevention Program

The 2024-2025 RSV season for infant and high-risk children has ended
Doses of Beyfortus® and Abrysvo® should no longer be administered to infants, children or pregnant individuals
All remaining non-expired inventory is to be stored under proper cold chain storage conditions for use in the 2025-2026 RSV season (Ministry guidance for this program will be released at a later date)

High-risk Older Adult RSV Prevention Program

The 2024-2025 RSV season for high-risk older adults will continue into the spring
Use the high-risk release vaccine order form to obtain vaccine

COVID-19 Vaccine Program

Although the seasonality and the evolutionary trajectory of COVID-19 has not been established, based on previous years and consistent with other respiratory viruses, an increase in COVID-19 activity is expected during the fall, winter and spring
The Ontario Ministry of Health has indicated the COVID-19 vaccine program will align with the Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP). Further guidance on this program will be released by the Ministry closer to fall.
A COVID-19 vaccine dose is recommended in spring 2025 (April to June) for previously vaccinated individuals who have completed their primary series and are at increased risk of infection, including:
- Adults 65 years of age and older
  - NACI recommends that those 80 years and older should receive an additional dose of vaccine while those 65 to 79 years of age may receive an additional dose of vaccine
- Adult residents of long-term care homes and other congregate living settings for seniors
- Individuals 6 months of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (due to an underlying condition or treatment)
- Individuals 55 years and older who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Metis and their non-Indigenous household members who are 55 years and older
Individuals who do not meet the high-risk criteria are not eligible to receive dose(s) in the spring. This means that if someone did not receive a dose(s) in the fall, and are not high-risk, they are recommended to be vaccinated during the fall 2025 COVID-19 vaccine program to ensure optimal protection against circulating strains.
Refer to Ontario Ministry of Health Fact Sheet for Health Care Providers: COVID-19 Vaccine for COVID-19 immunization schedules
Use the COVID-19 vaccination order form to obtain vaccine
Email COVaxON Support to get a COVax account or if you need support for an existing account

For More Information

Contact the Vaccine Preventable Disease program at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7396
COVID‑19 Vaccine Program | ontario.ca
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) prevention programs | ontario.ca