Seasonal Respiratory Products

To: Health Care Professionals in Niagara
From: Clinical Services Division, Niagara Region Public Health
Reference: Seasonal Respiratory Products
Date: September 28, 2026

This memo contains details about the 2026-2027 seasonal respiratory products.

Key Points

• Vaccine distribution to high-risk and priority groups begins the week of September 28, 2026, helping protect those at increased risk ahead of the respiratory illness season. As vaccine shipments arrive across Niagara, availability will expand. Refer to the Health Care Provider Action section for details.
• The infant RSV program launches October 1. More information will be shared in a subsequent memo.
• The adult RSV program will continue to operate year-round. Studies show multi-year protection and the vaccine may be given at any time during the year. If a patient has received a dose of RSV vaccine previously, they are not eligible to receive another dose.
• New RSV Physician Billing Code
  • A dedicated fee code (G849) is available for administration of all publicly funded RSV immunization products delivered through primary care
• The old LP.8.1 COVID-19 vaccine inventory has been withdrawn and should not be administered. An updated Omicron XFG formulation has been authorized.
• Review the Ontario Ministry of Health’s 2026-2027 health care provider fact sheets for more information such as co-administration with other vaccines, a detailed list of high-risk and priority populations, etc.

Influenza

• In mid-September, primary care offices were sent an influenza allotment intention form via fax. Please contact Public Health if your office did not receive it.  
• The CMAJ 2026 clinical practice guideline suggests routinely offering all individuals, particularly those older than 65 years, vaccination against influenza to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, stroke and possibly dementia
• Refer to Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP) | ontario.ca (for health care providers) and The flu | ontario.ca (for patients)

COVID-19  

• Ontario will have two mRNA vaccine products. Patients should receive the vaccine (according to the products’ age indications) that is available unless the patient has a contraindication toward a specific vaccine.
  • A protein subunit vaccine may also be available, primarily through pharmacies. Public Health will not have routine inventory to distribute. Where clinically indicated, primary care providers can contact Public Health to request Ministry access or identify pharmacies that may offer it.
• Refer to COVID‑19 Vaccine Program | ontario.ca (for health care providers) and COVID‑19 vaccines | ontario.ca (for patients)
• If you are interested in providing COVID-19 vaccine and have not registered for Panorama Guided Workflow (PGW), please contact us
  • Health care providers onboarded to PGW may be able to view patients' immunization profiles using the job aid “How to Search and View a Client Record”
  • Patients can access their records through Immunization Connect (ICON)

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Adults

• Eligibility:
  • Individuals 60-74 who meet the high-risk eligibility criteria
  • All adults aged 75 and older are eligible for the publicly funded RSV vaccine. Physicians and primary care can order RSV for patients in this age group.
• Monitor Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) prevention programs | ontario.ca (for health care providers) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus | ontario.ca (for patients) for updates

Health Care Provider Action

• To support timely protection and co-administration, individuals in COVID-19 and influenza high-risk and priority groups are eligible for both vaccines as soon as they become available. Use your initial allotments for appointments for these patients as subsequent supply will not be available until Public Health receives more inventory.  
  • Initial influenza allotments will be delivered throughout early October; subsequent orders will not be filled until end of October / beginning of November once Public Health receives additional supply
  • COVID-19 vaccine supply may be limited initially and will be distributed as soon as its available  
• Do not plan any large-scale immunization clinics for influenza or COVID-19 until you have received enough vaccine to support clinic needs
• If you do not offer COVID or flu vaccines, refer patients to participating pharmacies or walk-in clinics. Advise parents/guardians of young children to call ahead for availability.

Office Staff Action

• Ensure you have enough fridge space to accommodate your vaccine order. Refer to the Pulse newsletter article: Make Space in Your Vaccine Fridge Before Respiratory Season Arrives
  • Remove any LP.8.1 COVID-19 vaccine doses from your fridges. Maintain documentation of all vaccine disposals and make such records available as it may be requested by the Ministry.
  • Do not return open vials of influenza vaccine to Public Health
  • Discard open vials of influenza vaccine and all LP.8.1 COVID-19 vaccines doses through your biohazard waste
• Use the seasonal respiratory products order form to order RSV products, COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, keeping in mind distribution timelines as outlined

For More Information

• Call 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7396
• Refer to our website for information on reporting adverse events after immunization