Respiratory Viruses and Immunizations

UPDATE: New PCMCH Resources on RSV Prevention for Infants and High-Risk Children

PCMCH is pleased to share two new fact sheets on the prevention of RSV in infants and high-risk children. These resources provide valuable information and guidance to parents and healthcare providers to support the fall 2024 launch of the expanded infant and high-risk children RSV prevention program in Ontario.

- Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers (English | French)
  This fact sheet 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 and how the program impacts their care of perinatal and paediatric patients.
- Fact Sheet for Parents and Expectant Parents (English | French)
  This fact sheet is intended for parents and expectant parents to support them in learning more about RSV and what options are available to protect their children against RSV.

Infants and children with immature or compromised immune systems are often at higher risk of getting severely ill from respiratory viruses. In addition, pregnant individuals may face greater risks when contracting respiratory viruses and may be more susceptible to complications that could affect them or their baby.

During the fall and winter seasons, the threat of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19 and influenza (the flu) are important viruses to prevent and manage effectively, especially in vulnerable populations.

PCMCH developed resources to support parents, families and healthcare providers for the respiratory illness season (late fall to early spring). Below, you will find links to resources from other government agencies and healthcare organizations with reliable, up-to-date information about common respiratory viruses and immunization options available.

General Resources

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.

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.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Resources

For Healthcare Providers

Protecting Infants and High-Risk Children During RSV Season (PCMCH)- English and French
This fact sheet supports healthcare providers in understanding the changes associated with the recent expansion of Ontario’s RSV prevention program for infants and high-risk children and how they will impact their care of perinatal 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.

2024-2025 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 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.

For Parents and Families

Protecting Your Child from RSV (PCMCH)- English and French
This fact sheet is intended for parents and expectant parents to support them in learning more about RSV and what options are available to protect their children.

RSV Prevention Program (Ministry of Health)
This webpage provides information and resources to parents and caregivers on the infant and high-risk children prevention program in Ontario.

RSV Videos (Immunize Canada)
This YouTube channel hosts videos (in English and French) featuring healthcare providers and parents talking about protecting infants from RSV.

RSV Vaccine (Vaccines in Pregnancy Canada)
This website provides information about the options available to protect you and your baby from RSV.

Learn about RSV (CANImmunize)
This webpage includes information and a quiz about RSV. CANImmunize is a digital tool for Canadians to securely store your vaccination records and help you get vaccinated on time.

Canadian National Immunization Safety Network (CANVAS) launching soon
CANVAS is monitoring the safety of Beyfortus (nirsevimab). If your infant has, or will be, receiving Beyfortus and you want to help monitor their safety, please visit the CANVAS website to learn more and register to participate.

Measles Resources

For Healthcare Providers

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.

For Parents and Families

Protect Yourself and Your Family Against Measles (PCMCH & 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.

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 Resources

For Healthcare Providers

For Parents and Families

The flu (Ontario Ministry of Health)
This webpage provides information about the flu and when and where to get the flu shot.

Protecting Children Against Influenza (Canadian Public Health Association)
This video is part of an educational program created to help parents and guardians protect their children against the influenza virus.

Influenza Vaccines in Pregnancy: What you Need to Know (Immunize Canada)
This fact sheet provides an overview of what pregnant people need to know about influenza vaccines.

COVID-19 Resources

For Healthcare Providers

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.

Recommendations to Address Gaps in Prenatal Care System (PCMCH)
Released in January 2021, this report was developed in response to COVID-19 and the highlighted concerns predating the pandemic requiring system-level review and improvement. A multisectoral strategy is required to address the recommendations and close health equity gaps in maternal-neonatal care in Ontario.

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

For Parents and Families

COVID-19 (Ontario Ministry of Health)
This webpage shares information about COVID-19, including public health advice, vaccines, self-assessment, testing and treatment.

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.

Perinatal & Newborn Health

Initiatives & Guidelines

Respiratory Viruses and Immunizations

UPDATE: New PCMCH Resources on RSV Prevention for Infants and High-Risk Children

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Resources

Measles Resources

Influenza Resources

COVID-19 Resources