For information about Fall Flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics, including clinic schedules, eligibility, booking information, and announcements, visit:

• Fall Vaccine Clinics: Flu, COVID-19, and RSV 

 

RSV Immunization

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can cause serious illness in infants and young children, especially those with certain medical conditions. 

A free RSV immunization program is available for eligible infants, high-risk children, and pregnant individuals to help protect against severe RSV illness. Immunization can reduce your child’s risk of serious complications and hospitalization during RSV season. 

Protection can be provided either through: 

• an RSV immunization given directly to an eligible infant or high-risk child, OR 
• an RSV vaccine received during pregnancy, which helps protect the baby after birth. 

Both of these options are safe and effective. Only one of them is needed to help protect a child from RSV. Using both the immunization and the vaccine is not needed unless recommended by a healthcare provider.  

See detailed information below regarding eligibility, immunization products, and where to get vaccinated.

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RSV Immunization Clinics: Infants & High-Risk Children

RCDHU offers RSV immunization clinics for infants, high-risk children, and pregnant individuals who qualify. Immunization will be offered throughout RSV season, from October to March.

See below for a complete list of eligibility criteria.

Book an Appointment 

To book an appointment at an RCDHU clinic:

• Book Online: Online Appointment Booking
• Call: 613-732-9436 or 1-833-773-0004

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Infants & High-Risk Children

 

About the RSV Prevention Program:

Nirsevimab (Beyfortus®) is a free RSV prevention immunization available to eligible infants and high-risk children through Ontario’s publicly funded RSV Prevention Program. It helps protect against serious RSV illness during the fall and winter months and can reduce the risk of hospitalization.

Who is eligible for RSV immunization? 

Infants and certain high-risk children will become eligible to receive the RSV immunization in early fall. Eligibility is set by the Ministry of Health and includes:

• Infants and children who reside in Ontario and who meet any of the following criteria:
  • Infants born April 1 or after and less than 8 months of age at the time of immunization.
  • Children less than 24 months of age who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease, following a discussion with their pediatric specialist. See below for more details.

High-Risk Children Eligibility:

Children up to 24 months of age who remain vulnerable from severe RSV disease through their second RSV season, with:

• • Chronic lung disease (CLD), including bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), defined by need for ongoing respiratory support and supplemental oxygen therapy at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (gestational age at birth plus chronological age) or discharged home, if earlier.
    • Note: Children who were less 12 months of age and approved for coverage in the previous RSV season for chronic lung disease and bronchopulmonary dysplasia remain eligible, irrespective of their clinical status in the second RSV season.
  • Hemodynamically significant cyanotic or a cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD)defined as infants requiring corrective surgery or are on cardiac medication for congestive heart failure or diagnosed with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension.
  • Severe immunodeficiency
  • Down syndrome/Trisomy 21
  • Cystic fibrosis with recurrent pulmonary exacerbations requiring hospitalization, deteriorating pulmonary function and/or severe growth delay
  • Neuromuscular disease impairing clearing of respiratory secretions
  • Severe congenital airway anomalies impairing the clearing of respiratory secretions

Eligibility is set by the Ministry of Health and may change over time. For the most up-to-date eligibility information, visit Respiratory Syncytial Virus | ontario.ca.

Where can my child get an RSV Immunization?

This fall, RSV immunizations may be available through the following providers:

• Hospitals (for newborns only)
• RCDHU’s Infant & High-Risk Children RSV Clinics (see above)
• Participating primary care providers (family doctors or nurse practitioners)
• Participating obstetricians (OB-GYN) and midwives

Speak with your health care provider to see if RSV immunization is the best option for your child.

 

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Pregnant Individuals

 

About the RSV Prevention Program: 

Abrysvo® is a free RSV vaccine available to eligible pregnant individuals through Ontario’s publicly funded RSV Prevention Program. When given during pregnancy, the vaccine helps pass protection to the baby before birth, helping reduce the risk of severe RSV illness and hospitalization during the baby’s first RSV season.

While this vaccine is safe and effective, it is generally recommended that eligible infants and high-risk children receive the RSV immunization given directly to them, as it provides the strongest protection against severe RSV illness.

Who is eligible for the RSV prevention program?  

Starting in early fall, the RSV vaccine is available to:

• Individuals who reside in Ontario, who are 28 to 36 weeks pregnant and are expected to deliver during the RSV season

Please note: If a pregnant individual has received the RSV vaccine, the infant will not be eligible to receive the infant RSV immunization (Beyfortus®), except in very specific cases. Please consult with a healthcare provider to discuss the most appropriate product for you and your child.

Eligibility is set by the Ministry of Health and may change over time. For the most up-to-date eligibility information, visit Ontario’s: Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

Where can pregnant individuals get an RSV Immunization?

This fall, RSV vaccines are available for eligible pregnant individuals who meet the Ministry of Health’s eligibility criteria.

RSV vaccines may be available through the following providers:

• Participating primary care providers (family doctors or nurse practitioners)
• Participating obstetricians (OB-GYN) and midwives
• RCDHU’s Infant & High-Risk Children RSV Clinics (see above)

RCDHU offers Tuberculosis Skin Testing (TST) clinics by appointment for individuals who live, work, or study in Ontario.

Booking a TB Skin Testing Appointment

All TB skin testing clinics are offered by appointment only.

If you require a TB skin test for employment, education, volunteer work, or another purpose, please ensure you know whether a one-step or two-step test is required before booking.

Ways to book an appointment:

• Book online: TST Clinic Online Booking
• Call: 613-732-9436 or 1-800-733-0004
• Email: immunization@rcdhu.com

Before You Book:

• Confirm whether you require a one-step or two-step TB skin test.
• You must return 48-72 hours after your TB skin test to have the test read.
• If you require a two-step TB skin test, you will need to book a second appointment. The second test must be administered 1 to 4 weeks after the first test.
• TB skin testing clinics are available only to individuals who live, work, or study in Ontario.

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What is a TB Skin Test (TST)?

A TB Skin Test (TST), also known as a Mantoux test, is used to identify individuals who may have a latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Latent TB infection means a person has been infected with TB bacteria but does not have active TB disease and cannot spread TB to others.

Identifying and treating latent TB infection can help prevent the development of active TB disease and protect both individual and public health.

Please note: A TST is not used to diagnose active TB disease.

What is a Two-Step TB Skin Test?

A two-step TST is used to establish a baseline result for individuals who may require regular TB screening, such as students or health care workers.

The process involves:

1. Receiving a first TB skin test.
2. Returning 48 to 72 hours later to have the test read.
3. If the first test is negative, receiving a second TB skin test 1 to 4 weeks later.
4. Returning again to have the second test read.

The result of the second test is considered your baseline result.

A properly documented two-step TST only needs to be completed once. Future TB skin tests can generally be completed as a one-step test.

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Who Should Consider a TB Skin Test?

A TST may be recommended for individuals who have an increased risk of exposure to TB and for whom treatment of latent TB infection would be considered, including:

• Contacts of a person diagnosed with pulmonary TB
• Individuals born in countries where TB is common
• Individuals with health conditions that increase the risk of developing TB disease, including:
  • HIV
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic kidney disease
• Individuals experiencing homelessness or who are under-housed
• Individuals who use injection drugs
• Indigenous people from communities with higher rates of TB
• Health care workers
• Residents under 65 years of age living in correctional facilities, retirement homes, or long-term care homes
• Individuals travelling to areas where TB is more common

Who Should Not Receive a TB Skin Test?

A TB skin test is generally not recommended if you:

• Have had a previous positive TB skin test result
• Experienced a severe blistering reaction to a previous TB skin test
• Have had an anaphylactic or other serious hypersensitivity reaction to a TB skin test
• Have been diagnosed with or treated for TB in the past
• Have extensive burns or eczema at the test site
• Have a current major viral infection
• Have received a live-virus vaccine within the past four weeks
• Are over 65 years of age and reside in a retirement home or long-term care home

You Can Still Receive a TST If:

The following situations do not prevent you from receiving a TB skin test:

• You received the BCG vaccine in the past
• You have a common cold or mild viral illness
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding
• You are receiving another vaccine on the same day
• You had a previous positive TB skin test that was not documented

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Immunizations and TB Skin Testing

If you also require routine immunizations, please book your immunization appointment after your TB skin test requirements have been completed.

For clients requiring a two-step TST, immunization appointments should be booked after the second test has been administered.

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Additional Information

• RCDHU: Positive Mantoux Skit Test Report
• RCDHU: Contact
• Canadian Tuberculosis Standards: Chapter 4-Diagnosis of tuberculosis infection