Respiratory Viruses and Immunizations

Updated Resources on RSV Prevention for Infants and High-Risk Children

PCMCH is pleased to share updated fact sheets to support parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers with essential information about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and immunization options, aligned with Ontario’s expanded RSV Prevention Program.

See below for more information and additional resources.

Thank you to Tali Bogler, ‘Remi Ejiwunmi, Bosco Paes, Darine El-Chaâr, Jane Healey, Tiffany Fitzpatrick, Teresa Bruni, Paul Roumeliotis and Prakesh Shah for their invaluable input and expertise in shaping the RSV fact sheets, and to the parents with lived experience whose perspectives were essential in ensuring the content is meaningful and relevant.

Infants and children with immature or compromised immune systems are at higher risk of developing severe illness from respiratory viruses. Similarly, pregnant individuals may face greater risks when contracting respiratory viruses and are more susceptible to complications that could affect both their health and the health of their baby.

During the fall and winter months, the risk of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and influenza (flu) is a significant concern, particularly for vulnerable populations.

To assist parents, families and healthcare providers in managing the respiratory illness season (late fall to early spring), PCMCH has developed a range of resources. Below, you will also find links to helpful resources from other government agencies and healthcare organizations that offer reliable, up-to-date information on common respiratory viruses and available immunization options.

  • 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.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Resources

  • Protecting Infants and High-Risk Children During RSV Season (PCMCH), English and French
    This resource is intended for healthcare providers to support them in understanding the recent changes associated with the expansion of Ontario’s RSV prevention program for infants and high-risk children. It outlines how the program will affect the care of prenatal, newborn and paediatric patients.
  • RSV Prevention Program (Ministry of Health)
    This webpage provides information and resources to guide healthcare providers on the expanded infant and high-risk children RSV prevention program in Ontario.
  • Supplementary Clinical Guidance for Health Care Providers (Provincial RSV Advisory Group)
    Designed to answer frequently asked questions and support best practices in the implementation of Ontario’s Infant and High-Risk Children RSV Prevention Program, complementing the Ontario MOH guidance.
  • 2025-2026 RSV Prevention Program for infants in Ontario (Centre for Effective Practice)
    This tool supports primary care clinicians with navigating Ontario’s expanded RSV Prevention Program, information about Beyfortus (nirsevimab) and its administration, and the role of primary care in RSV prevention.
  • RSV Information Hub (Praxus Health)
    This information hub for healthcare providers summarizes RSV information at the national and provincial/territorial levels to support informed decision-making conversations around RSV protection with your patients.
  • RSV Vaccines: Canadian Immunization Guide (Public Health Agency of Canada)
    This guide provides key information related to epidemiology of RSV, immunization options to protect infants and more.
  • Statement on the Prevention of RSV Disease in Infants (NACI, PHAC)
    This summary of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) statement of May 17, 2024, provides an overview of the updated guidance on the prevention of RSV disease in infants.
  • RSV Webinar: What you need to know (Canadian Public Health Association)
    This webinar provided an in-depth exploration of RSV, emphasizing its impact across different age groups, particularly infants.
  • Optimizing RSV Protection for All Infants: eCME (MDBriefCase)
    This free one-hour course offers healthcare providers the opportunity to learn more about optimizing RSV protection for infants.

Measles Resources

  • Measles: Information for Healthcare Providers (Public Health Ontario)
    This document outlines information to help with timely identification and management of suspected measles cases and prevention through immunization.
  • Measles Update for Clinicians and Public Health Webinar (Public Health Ontario)
    This webinar provides an update on measles in Ontario, including an overview of updated resources, guidance and common questions.
  • Measles Fact Sheet (Ontario College of Family Physicians)
    This resource provides up-to-date information on prevention and management of suspected cases in your family practice.

  • 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

  • Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Perinatal Health Care Providers (PCMCH)
    Statement issued in December 2021 in response to rapid rise in COVID-19 cases and increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant. It contains guidance for perinatal healthcare providers about using N95 respirators for COVID-positive patients and information about COVID-19 vaccination (including booster doses) for pregnant people.
  • 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.
    • Case Management (PCMCH): May 3, 2021
    • Vaccines (PCMCH): May 10, 2021
    • Promoting Seamless Postnatal Care (PCMCH): May 26, 2021
    • Neonatal Care and Considerations (PCMCH): May 31, 2021

  • 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.

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.

Subscribe

Stay informed with Milestones, your source for clinical updates and resources in perinatal, newborn and child health. This newsletter is for healthcare providers and families across Ontario.