Initial updates about RSV, Influenza and COVID-19 immunization campaign

Article

Sep 05, 2025

Halton Region Public Health: Office of the Medical Officer of Health

This fall, immunizations against RSV, Influenza and COVID-19 will be available.
While the Ministry has made announcements (external link), the Ministry will release formal guidance in the weeks to come.
While the Influenza and COVID-19 programs are similar to last year, there are changes to the RSV program.
Public Health will provide updates, distribution information and guidance for COVID-19, influenza and RSV products once available from the Ministry of Health.
Refer to the Ontario Ministry of Health websites for updates on COVID-19, influenza and RSV as information becomes available (links in Additional Resources).
Save the date for Mainpro+ accredited webinar on October 8, 2025 from 7-8 p.m. focusing on Fall/Winter respiratory pathogens and immunizations. Registration invitation to come.
In early October, routine vaccine distribution will be paused for 2 weeks to accommodate the influenza auto-shipment schedule. During this time, routine vaccine orders will not be processed. Orders for high-risk vaccines will be approved on a case-by-case basis.

For infants born in hospital during the RSV season, Beyfortus® should be administered prior to discharge to ensure timely protection and reduce missed opportunities for RSV preventative intervention.
Eligible infants born prior to the start of the RSV season can receive Beyfortus® from their primary care provider.
Health care providers with remaining Beyfortus from last season, stored appropriately within cold chain and still viable, may begin administration on October 1, 2025.
Eligibility for Beyfortus®:
- Infants born April 1 or after and less than 8 months of age up to the end of the RSV season.
- Children up to 24 months who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease through their second RSV season.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends Beyfortus® as the preferred option for infant RSV protection due to its high effectiveness, long-lasting protection, and positive safety profile.
However, Abrysvo®, a maternal vaccine, is available and authorized for use in pregnant individuals between 32-36 weeks gestation who are expected to deliver during the RSV season.

The province has expanded the publicly funded RSV prevention program for older adults to include all individuals aged 75 years and older in addition to the current high-risk eligibility criteria for individuals 60 to 74 years of age.
If an individual received a dose of RSV vaccine previously, they do not need to receive another dose this season.
Publicly funded RSV vaccines are not available at community pharmacies.
There are two available vaccine products authorized in Canada: Arexvy and Abrysvo^TM

All influenza vaccines are trivalent this season, as the B/Yamagata strain has not been detected since March 2020.

Effective September 1, 2024, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has issued a market withdrawal of Pfizer COVID-19 XBB vaccines. Moderna COVID-19 KP.2 products have already reached expiry.
- Any remaining XBB vaccines in your vaccine fridge must be disposed of as biomedical waste.
- Do not return COVID-19 vaccines to Public Health.
- All disposed doses must be entered as waste in COVax.
Public Health anticipates the new COVID-19 formulation (LP.8.1) this fall for the upcoming respiratory season. Doses will be released as inventory is received from the Ontario Ministry of Health.

Starting in early October, influenza auto-shipments will be sent to your facility at no cost to you, via Halton’s vaccine courier service.
The auto-shipment schedule will be shared in the coming weeks. Delivery of routine vaccines will not be available during this period. Refer to the updated Vaccine Distribution Schedule for the black out dates.
Review your vaccine inventory to ensure you have enough supply to accommodate the adjusted distribution schedule and that your fridge space is sufficient for the anticipated respiratory season vaccines.