2025-2026 Guidance for Fall Seasonal Vaccines
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Advisory Alert
To: Local Health System Partners
September 19, 2025
Please see the below guidance for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and COVID-19 vaccine programs.
RSV program
This year, the Ministry of Health has expanded eligibility for the publicly funded RSV vaccine programs.
Immunization for individuals 60 years of age and older
RSV vaccines are now available and administration can begin using Arexvy (GlaxoSmithKline Inc.) or Abrysvo™ (Pfizer Canada ULC).
Eligibility includes individuals aged 75 and older, as well as individuals 60 to 74 years of age who meet specific Ministry of Health eligibility criteria. Persons previously vaccinated do NOT need to receive another dose.
Immunization for infants and high-risk children
Two RSV products are currently publicly funded in Ontario. Administration may begin using existing stock that has been properly stored within cold chain, or by placing an order.
- Beyfortus® (monoclonal antibody) is the preferred and most effective protection for infants. It is available for
- infants born in the hospital during the RSV season (Beyfortus® should be administered prior to discharge to ensure timely protection)
- infants under 8 months of age (born April 1, 2025, or later) entering their first RSV season
- high-risk children under 24 months entering their second RSV season
- Abrysvo™ (vaccine) may be offered as an alternative to pregnant individuals between 32- and 36-weeks’ gestation to produce maternal antibodies in neonates who are expected to be born during RSV season. This is an alternative to administering Beyfortus® to the infant after birth, and both should NOT be used.
Multilingual resources are available to support patient education.
COVID-19 and influenza vaccines guidance
Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP)
As the B/Yamagata strain has not been detected since March 2020 and are considered eradicated, the quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines (QIV) have transitioned to trivalent inactivated vaccines (TIV).
For 6 months of age and older, available influenza vaccines include Flucelvax®, Fluviral, and Fluzone®.
For 65 years of age and older, available influenza vaccines include Fluad® and Fluzone® High-Dose.
COVID-19 vaccine program
Aligned with the UIIP, this is administered on an annual schedule and eligibility criteria includes everyone aged 6 months of age and older who live, work, or go to school in Ontario.
Available COVID-19 vaccines include Moderna’s Spikevax, Pfizer’s Comirnaty pediatric formulation, and Pfizer’s Comirnaty (standard formulation).
COVaxON Account Reactivations
To reactivate your COVaxON account or for those creating new accounts please email COVaxAccounts@phsd.ca.
Vaccine availability
Doses will be released as inventory is received from the Ministry of Health. You will be notified via email when your order is available for pick up.
| Date | Health care provider actions |
|---|---|
| September 19 | Begin submitting RSV vaccine orders. |
| September 22 to October 3 | Submit influenza and COVID-19 vaccine orders for high-risk patients. |
| October 6 to 17 | Begin submitting influenza and COVID-19 vaccine orders for the general population. |
Vaccine administration timelines
- RSV can be administered as soon as vaccines are available.
- Influenza and COVID-19 can be administered as soon as vaccines are available for high-risk individuals over the age of 6 months.
- Influenza and COVID-19 can be administered beginning October 27 for the general population.
Additional resources:
- Influenza Immunization for Individuals ≥65 years of age (English|French)
- Influenza Immunization for Individuals 6 months to 64 years of age fact sheet (English|French)
- COVID-19: Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidance (English|French)
- 2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccine Program fact sheet (English|French)
- Ontario’s COVID-19 Vaccine Program and Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP) – 2025/2026 (English|French) (Letter from the Chief Medical Officer of Health)
- Universal Influenza Immunization Program (English|French) (Ministry of Health)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Program (English|French) (Ministry of Health)
- Older Adult High-Risk Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine Program fact sheet for health care providers (English|French)
- Infant and High-risk Children Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Prevention Program fact sheet for health care providers (English|French)
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) prevention programs (English|French) (Ministry of Health)
- Updated resources on RSV prevention for infants and high-risk children (Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health)
Contact Public Health
- To order a vaccine, please complete the Respiratory Vaccine Order Form and email it to vaccineorder@phsd.ca or fax it to 705.677.9616.
- Administration information can be reported using the updated reporting form and faxed to 705.677.9616 (the form is also available in French).
- To report an adverse event following immunization, complete the AEFI reporting form and fax to 705.677.9616.
- For immunization inquiries, call the Vaccine Preventable Diseases program at 705.522.9200, ext. 458 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).
Sincerely,
Original Signed By
M. Mustafa Hirji, MD, MPH, FRCPC
Acting Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer
Note: All Advisory Alerts are found on our website.
This item was last modified on September 19, 2025