As the end of the 2024–2025 respiratory illness season approaches, the Ontario Ministry of Health has issued an update regarding the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) prophylaxis program:

High-Risk Older Adult RSV Vaccine Program

• The adult RSV vaccine program will continue into the spring of 2025, and vaccines remain available for eligible individuals through the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU).
• Product available is Abrysvo.
• Current Eligibility: One dose is available to Ontario residents 60 years of age or older who meet any of the following criteria:

• Residents of long-term care homes, elder care lodges, or retirement homes
• Patients in hospital designated as Alternate Level of Care (ALC), or in similar settings (e.g., complex continuing care, transitional hospital programs)
• Patients undergoing 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

Infant and High-Risk Children RSV Prevention Program

• The 2024–2025 RSV prevention program for infants and high-risk children has now concluded.
• Doses of Beyfortus and Abrysvo should no longer be ordered or administered to infants, children, or pregnant individuals.
• To ensure effective protection during the respiratory season, Beyfortus should be administered in the fall, as it provides six months of protection.
• Any remaining, non-expired inventory must be maintained under appropriate cold chain storage at the provider site and should not be returned to WECHU. These doses are not to be administered until further direction is provided by the Ministry of Health.
• If doses of Beyfortus are required after the date of this memo, they may be provided on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the WECHU Immunization Department for assistance.

Resources

• 2024-2025 RSV Program Resources such as fact sheets are available on the WECHU’s website. (https://www.wechu.org/vaccine-providers/2024-2025-rsv-program-resources)

Ordering Instructions

Please note the following before completing your order: 

• Maintain no more than a one-month supply in your vaccine fridge as per Ministry Guidelines.
• RSV vaccine order fulfillment is subject to vaccine availability. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) will follow up if there are questions or delays in fulfilling your order.
• You will be notified by the WECHU when your order is ready. For vaccine pick up, coolers must be pre-chilled between 2-8°C and all transport equipment must be present.
• If you plan to have your order delivered by Medex; please contact Medex at 519-735-7273 to arrange your delivery.