Toronto Public Health encourages residents to get vaccinated during fall respiratory illness season

With cooler weather coming in, Toronto Public Health (TPH) encourages eligible residents to get immunized against respiratory infections that include COVID-19, influenza (flu) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

Initial doses of the updated COVID-19 (KP.2) vaccine are now available for eligible individuals who are at an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection or severe illness due to COVID-19. Eligible Torontonians include:

• Adults 65 years of age or older
• Children six months to four years of age
• Residents and staff of long-term care homes and other congregate living settings (e.g., chronic care facilities, retirement homes)
• Individuals who have underlying medical conditions that place them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 including children with complex health needs
• Pregnant individuals
• Individuals from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities
• Members of racialized and other equity-deserving communities
• Healthcare workers and first responders.

Updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines will be available beginning Monday, October 28 for all residents aged six months and older who live, work or go to school in Ontario. Vaccines are available at many locations including participating primary healthcare providers, walk-in clinics and participating pharmacies. Individuals may confirm their eligibility by visiting the Ministry of Health’s webpage.

TPH will not be administering the updated COVID-19 (KP.2) and flu vaccines directly to the general public. With the ending of provincial funding for the mass immunization clinics last year, TPH will focus on vaccinating children four years of age and younger against COVID-19 and the flu and residents in select high-risk settings. Residents can visit TPH’s webpage to book an appointment for their eligible child.

Vaccination is an effective way to protect residents, preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death, especially for high-risk individuals. In addition, Toronto residents can reduce the spread of respiratory infections by staying home when sick, practicing good hand hygiene, choosing well-ventilated spaces and wearing a well-fitted mask in crowded indoor areas.

RSV vaccine availability

Those 60 years of age or older and not eligible for the publicly-funded RSV vaccine can speak to their healthcare provider about receiving it at a cost. Currently, pharmacies will not be administering the publicly-funded RSV vaccine.

The Ministry of Health introduced a new RSV prevention program for infants and high-risk children through the following options:

• Pregnant Ontarians (32-36 weeks gestation) delivering near or during the 2024-2025 RSV season can receive a vaccine through their prenatal care provider to protect their newborn. This vaccine is available through participating prenatal health care providers, primary care providers and midwives.
• Infants born in 2024-25 and high-risk children up to 24 months can receive a monoclonal antibody treatment for immediate RSV protection. This is available through hospitals, birthing centers, primary care providers and specialty clinics.

For more information on vaccine availability and respiratory disease updates, please visit the City’s Respiratory Viruses webpage or contact a healthcare provider.

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