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 Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in infants and high-risk children. These resources provide essential information and guidance for both parents and healthcare providers, supporting the launch of the expanded RSV prevention program for infants and high-risk children in Ontario for the 2024/25 RSV season.

- Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers (English | 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.
- Fact Sheet for Parents and Expectant Parents (English | French)
  This fact sheet is intended for parents, expectant parents and caregivers to support them in learning more about RSV and what preventive measures are available in Ontario to protect their newborns and young children against RSV.
  - Now available in several additional languages: Simplified Chinese (简体中文), Traditional Chinese (繁體中文), Arabic (عربى), Italian (Italiano), Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ) and Spanish (Español)

In addition, the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC) and PCMCH have launched a new RSV Fact Sheet tailored for Indigenous parents, families and caregivers in Ontario. The fact sheet is available in six languages, including four Indigenous languages: English, French, Cree, Inuktitut, Ojibway and Mohawk.

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.

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.

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

For Healthcare Providers

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.

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 (Français)
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.

Now available in several additional languages: Simplified Chinese (简体中文), Traditional Chinese (繁體中文), Arabic (عربى), Italian (Italiano), Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ), and Spanish (Español)

RSV Fact Sheet for Indigenous Families and Caregivers (IPHCC and PCMCH)
Tailored for Indigenous parents, families and caregivers in Ontario, this resource offers culturally safe information on preventing RSV in infants and high-risk young children.

Available in the following languages: English, French (Français), Cree, Inuktitut, Ojibway and Mohawk

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)
CANVAS is currently monitoring the safety of Beyfortus (Nirsevimab) and is seeking assistance from parents and caregivers. If your baby or child has recently received Beyfortus and you are interested in learning more about participating in safety monitoring, please visit the CANVAS website for further information and to enroll in their study.

19 to Zero
19 to Zero is a multidisciplinary coalition of public health experts, academics, civil society organizations, marketers and behavioural scientists. This website providers key information about protecting your baby against RSV.

Protecting infants against RSV infection: Vaccination during pregnancy or a monoclonal antibody for infants (First Exposure)
This health topic is an expert opinion about protecting infants against RSV infection: vaccination during pregnancy or a monoclonal antibody for infants.

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 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

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.

Influenza Vaccine in Pregnancy and Lactation (First Exposure)
This health topic is an expert opinion about the seasonal influenza vaccine (flu shot) during pregnancy and lactation.

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.

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.

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 (Flu) Resources

COVID-19 Resources