RSV, COVID-19 & Influenza Vaccines
What is RSV?
RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis, a common chest infection that affects infants and toddlers.
RSV usually leads to a mild illness. However, some groups are at increased risk for severe outcomes, including infants, children under 24 months of age with certain medical conditions and older adults.
What is Influenza?
It is caused by influenza A and B viruses and occurs every year usually between late fall and early spring. Influenza causes fever, cough, headache, muscle soreness, sore throat and stuffy nose. Influenza can lead to pneumonia. It can also make other illnesses worse, especially chronic lung and heart disease.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 infections for people with a healthy immune system may cause a congested or runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, aches and pains, weakness headache, mild fever, loss of smell or taste and loss of appetite. COVID-19 infection can lead to more severe symptoms requiring hospitalization due to difficulty breathing, confusion and losing consciousness.
COVID-19 infections do occur year round, but is more common between late summer and spring.
Similarities and Differences between Flu and COVID-19.
COVID-19 and influenza spread very easily from an infected person to others through coughing and sneezing. It is also spread by direct contact with contaminated surfaces or objects such as unwashed hands, clothes, toys, eating utensils, etc. after they have been contaminated by the virus.
When should you get RSV, COVID-19 and Influenza (Flu) Vaccine?
These 3 vaccines target seasonal illnesses, so they become available when they will have the greatest impact on preventing illness.
At this time seniors only require a single dose of RSV vaccine.
COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines still require regular booster doses each fall.
For 2025, eligibility for free RSV vaccine was expanded to include seniors 75 years and older.
COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines become available in Ontario in early October for those at highest risk from infection. A second dose of COVID-19 vaccine is offered in the spring for high risk groups.
For everyone else over 6 months of age, these vaccines become available at the end of October.
As the vaccines are effective for about 6 months, getting vaccinated before December will provide you with the best protection.
The COVID-19 and influenza vaccines cannot make you infected with these diseases because they do not contain live virus.
Where can you get RSV, COVID-19 or Flu vaccines?
RSV vaccine for seniors will be available at health care providers starting in late September, but will not be available at the pharmacy this year.
For seniors 75 and older who have not had a dose of RSV vaccine, and do not have a health care provider, the Health Unit is offering immunization clinics throughout the fall.
Dates and locations will be added to our immunization bookings as they are confirmed.
The Health Unit will not be providing clinics for COVID-19 or Influenza vaccines.
COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are available through most pharmacies and primary care providers.
Residents in long term care facilities may receive vaccine at their home in October.
The Health Unit will not be providing clinics for COVID-19 or Influenza vaccines.
Who should be immunized?
Everyone over 6 months of age is eligible for a free immunization.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are not considered contraindications to getting either vaccine.
Visit this website to learn more about the RSV vaccine programs.
Visit this website to learn more about the Influenza Vaccine.