Ontario expanding access to RSV vaccines for young children, pregnant women
![Ontario RSV vaccines A health-care worker treats a patient in the emergency department at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/7/26/ontario-rsv-vaccines-1-6978878-1722009211205.jpg)
Ontario is doubling the number of children eligible for vaccination against a virus that can make young kids very sick.
The province says infants and high-risk children up to two years old will have access to new immunization to protect against respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
Pregnant women will also be able to be inoculated with a different vaccine to provide protection to newborns.
In late 2022, Ontario's four main pediatric hospitals became overwhelmed with really sick young children, a situation that forced them to cancel surgeries and redeploy staff to intensive care units and emergency departments.
RSV was particularly bad that year, as was the flu along with a surge of COVID-19.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore says the changes should better protect young children from severe outcomes.
"To be ready for this year's respiratory illness season, we all need to take the simple and effective steps to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities and our health-care system,” Moore wrote in a statement.
“RSV is a highly contagious virus that causes infections of the respiratory tract, especially in the very young and older members of our communities."
The province says children will be able to receive doses of Beyfortus, made by Sanofi and approved by Health Canada last year.
Pregnant women will have the option to receive Abrysvo, made by Pfizer and also approved by Health Canada last year, which can provide protection from RSV in infants up to six months of age.
The new medications are a "game changer," said Dr. Chris Simpson, CEO of Ontario Health.
"In addition to keeping infants and children at higher risk safe, it has the promise to dramatically reduce hospitalizations during the viral surge season – a huge benefit to our health-care system as a whole," he said.
The new measures double the number of children eligible for the vaccines, said the office of Health Minister Sylvia Jones. The province estimates about 130,000 more children will be eligible.
"By expanding the number of children eligible under the RSV prevention program, our government is making it easier for families to access the care and protection they need ahead of respiratory illness season," Jones wrote in a statement.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2024
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7029408.1725741747!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
'Cowardly act': 2 shooters fired indiscriminately into busy Toronto plaza, killing bystander, police say
A university student from Brampton was killed when two shooters fired indiscriminately into a crowded plaza in Toronto last month in what police say was a 'cowardly act.'
'Extremely vigorous' wildfire activity in central B.C. prompts crews to back off for safety
The wildfire fight in central B.C. intensified Friday, according to officials.
The iPhone is getting a 'glow' up. What to expect from Apple's Monday event
Apple excited fans with its vision for its 'Apple Intelligence' artificial intelligence system earlier this year. Now, it's time for the company to prove it really works.
They were due to leave for their dream cruise in May. Three months on they’re still stuck at the departure port
It was the years-long cruise that was supposed to set sail, but saw its departure postponed… postponed… and postponed again.
Here's what jobs will survive in the AI boom: Statistics Canada estimates
A recent study by Statistics Canada sheds light on how different occupations may be affected by the AI boom, including those who might lose their jobs in a more automation-driven future.
Oiler Corey Perry gets assist during Friday Night Smackdown at Rogers Place
The Worm made a guest appearance on WWE's Smackdown at Rogers Place Friday night.
The 33 most anticipated movies of the fall
Here are some of the most anticipated films of this fall, from large to small and everything in between.
Despite union protest, new hybrid work rules for federal employees kick in Monday
Public service unions will start the week with an early-morning rally opposing the policy. But despite the unions' 'summer of discontent' and an ongoing court challenge, the new rules will still kick in on Sept. 9.