Spring Direction for COVID-19 Vaccine and RSV Prevention Programs

To: Health Care Professionals in Niagara
From: Clinical Services Division, Niagara Region Public Health
Reference: Spring Direction for COVID-19 Vaccine and RSV Prevention Programs
Date: April 8, 2026

This memo contains updates to Ontario’s COVID-19 Vaccine and RSV Prevention programs.

Health Care Provider Action

COVID-19 Vaccine

Administer according to individuals identified in the high-risk populations group 1 as indicated on page 3 of the Ministry’s Health Care Provider Fact Sheet
Existing inventory can be used provided it’s not expired
Document doses using your internal documentation system (COVaxON was decommissioned March 13, 2026)
- If your patient is not sure when they last had a COVID-19 dose and you are unsure if they have met the minimum interval between doses, you can call the Ministry’s COVID-19 Immunization Provider Support Line at 1-888-333-0640 to confirm the date of your patient’s last COVID-19 vaccination
  - This temporary contact centre is for health care providers only (i.e. not the public) and is available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You will be required to provide your professional registration number before patient information can be shared
Refer eligible patients to participating walk-in clinics and pharmacies if your office will not be offering COVID-19 vaccines. Advise parents/guardians of younger children to call ahead for availability to make sure they have supply. Patients having trouble accessing a flu or COVID-19 vaccine for their child(ren) six months to five years of age can call Public Health.

Other Vaccinations

Continue RSV immunizations to eligible individuals until further notice
Continue influenza vaccinations as requested until product expires in July

Office Staff Action

Use the updated Seasonal Respiratory Products Order Form

Program Updates and Context

COVID-19 Vaccine Program

Homebound Program: Niagara Region Public Health is no longer offering homebound COVID-19 vaccinations.
- Homebound individuals should receive COVID-19 vaccine from their usual influenza provider or speak with their in-home care provider
Panorama Guided Workflow (PGW) (replacing COVax)
- Providers who have not begun onboarding should follow the instructions in the Ontario Ministry of Health email package
- Launch date to be confirmed by the Ministry

Proof of vaccination

Patients cannot currently print / download enhanced vaccine certificates
Records are expected to be available again in fall 2026 through Immunize Connect Ontario (ICON)

RSV Prevention Programs

Adults
- The Ontario Ministry of Health has announced this program will be continued year-round
  - Their webpage does not indicate an end of season
Infant and High-Risk Children RSV Prevention Program
- Immunizations will continue into April 2026 due to ongoing RSV transmission
- The Ministry of Health will communicate when the 2025-2026 program ends
  - Maternal vaccinations could be given if Beyfortus® is not an option and when the infant is expected to be delivered during the 2025-2026 RSV season
- Guidance for the 2026-2027 program will be provided leading up to the fall and will include recommendations for those infants and children who receive RSV protection late this season

More Information

Call 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7396