Respiratory Viruses and Immunizations

RSV Prevention for Infants and High-Risk Children

PCMCH has launched a dedicated RSV webpage with updated information and resources for the 2026/27 season.

Respiratory viruses such as influenza, COVID-19 and measles can cause serious illness, particularly for infants, young children, pregnant individuals, and people with underlying health conditions.

Explore the resources below for trusted information on prevention, immunization and available supports.

  • Respiratory Virus Tool (Public Health Ontario)
    This tool provides epidemiological information on respiratory virus activity in Ontario.
  • How to Protect Yourself and Others from Respiratory Viruses (Public Health Ontario)
    This fact sheet covers information about the spread of respiratory viruses and how to protect yourself and others to reduce your risk of respiratory illness.
  • Immunization InfoLine (Hospital for Sick Children)
    Through a scheduled phone consult with a specially trained nurse, families will have the opportunity to have an open, one-on-one conversation and ask questions about all immunizations offered during pregnancy and childhood.
  • Get Your Child’s Vaccination Schedule (Public Health Agency of Canada)
    This online tool can provide you with your child’s personalized vaccination schedule based on the most recent recommendations.
  • Healthcare Provider Vaccine Confidence Toolkit (University of Calgary)
    This toolkit was developed to support healthcare providers in advocating for their patients’ vaccination decisions and to hone their vaccine conversations with patients.

Measles Resources

  • Protect Yourself and Your Family Against Measles (PCMCH and IPHCC)
    To ensure that Indigenous people who are pregnant or have young children have the most up-to-date information to support their decision-making, the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH) partnered with the Indigenous Primary Healthcare Council (IPHCC) to develop a fact sheet for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in Ontario. The fact sheet provides information about measles, how it spreads, vaccination and actions to take if exposed to the virus.
  • About Measles (Ontario Ministry of Health)
    This webpage provides an overview of measles, symptoms, how it spreads, and prevention methods, including immunization.
  • Measles Infection and the MMR Vaccine in Pregnancy and Lactation (First Exposure)
    This health topic is an expert opinion about measles infection and the MMR vaccine during pregnancy and lactation.
  • The Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine: What you Need to Know (Immunize Canada)
    This fact sheet provides an overview of the MMR vaccine and key information to know about it.

Influenza (Flu) Resources

COVID-19 Resources

Please note: Several of the resources below were developed between 2021 and 2022 and are being retained for historical reference and educational purposes. Users should refer to current Ontario Ministry of Health guidance for the most up-to-date recommendations.

  • COVID-19 (Ontario Ministry of Health)
    This webpage shares information about COVID-19, including public health advice, vaccines, self-assessment, testing and treatment.
  • COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine in Pregnancy and Lactation (First Exposure)
    This health topic is an expert opinion about the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy and lactation.
  • Vaccination for Children with Medical Complexities (PCMCH)
    This informational handout released in February 2022 addresses common concerns about COVID-19 vaccination for children with medical complexities. Families can use it as a resource when speaking with their complex care clinic Nurse Practitioner and/or Paediatrician. 
  • “I am pregnant or breastfeeding. Should I get the COVID-19 Vaccine?” (PCMCH) — English and French
    Last updated on January 25, 2022, this information sheet provides information supporting the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. There is an intended use and references document to accompany the information sheet available in English and French.
  • Let’s Talk about COVID-19 and Pregnancy Webinar (PCMCH)
    In June 2021, PCMCH hosted a webinar to support pregnant people or those planning a pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical experts and those with lived experience answered questions about the implications of a COVID-19 infection for the pregnant person and the baby, the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, and what to expect during pregnancy.

  • Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Perinatal Health Care Providers (PCMCH)
    This summary of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) statement of June 2026 provides an overview of the updated guidance on the use of COVID-19 vaccines starting in fall 2026.
  • Maternal-Neonatal COVID-19 General Guideline (PCMCH)
    Last updated in July 2021, this guideline provides direction to frontline workers on use of PPE during labour and delivery, support people for pregnant individuals, and care of mothers and babies with COVID-19.
  • Maternal-Neonatal COVID-19 Pregnancy Care Guideline (PCMCH)
    Last updated in July 2021, this guideline provides direction to frontline workers on care for pregnant population during the pandemic, birth planning, care of the pregnant person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, and other considerations.
  • COVID-19 in the Third Wave and the Maternal-Neonatal Population Webinar Series (PCMCH)
    This webinar series was produced to support maternal-neonatal care providers during the third wave of the pandemic in May 2021. Led by clinical experts across Ontario with expertise and/or experience related to COVID-19 and this population, each webinar focuses on a specific topic such as care management for COVID-19 positive pregnant patients and vaccine confidence.

Note that the information provided on this page is not intended to take the place of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact your healthcare provider to speak about how best to protect yourself, your family and your community from respiratory illnesses. You can also call 811 to connect to health care support 24/7, where you can receive secure and confidential health advice.

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