Sudbury's health unit has told local health care providers that the adult vaccine program for RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) will continue later into the spring.
At the same time, the vaccine program for infant and high-risk children for RSV prevention has ended, said an alert-and-guidance statement from PHSD, dated Monday, April 14.
The Ontario Ministry of Health said the RSV vaccine program will continue for high-risk adults. This program was introduced in 2023 with expanded eligibility in 2024 and 2025, said the ministry. The ministry said the vaccine is indicated for older adults, for people who are homeless and for people with specific chronic illnesses.
Ontario’s publicly funded RSV prevention program is targeted for high-risk individuals and settings. The program includes individuals who are aged 60 years and older and who are also:
- Residents of long-term care homes, Elder Care Lodges, or retirement homes including similar settings (e.g., co-located facilities) patients in hospitals receiving alternate level of care (ALC) including similar settings (for example, complex continuing care, hospital transitional programs).
- Patients receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
- Recipients of solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplants.
- Individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Individuals who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis.
The health unit also said it is still providing COVID-19 vaccines for the (April to June) spring 2025 period.
"In spring 2025, high-risk individuals who have completed a primary series are recommended to receive an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination for high-risk individuals is recommended between April and June, but doses can be administered until Aug. 31, 2025,” said the alert statement.
Spring doses are recommended to be administered six months or more after the previous dose of COVID-19 vaccine; however, the dose may be administered as early as three months after the previous dose.
For eligibility criteria, refer to the Health Care Provider Fact Sheet: 2024/2025 COVID-19 Vaccine Program – Update (Ministry of Health, PDF).