SEHU urging eligible older adults to get vaccinated against RSV

The South East Health Unit (SEHU) is recommending the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination for all residents aged 75 or older who are eligible.

In a media release dated Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, the SEHU said that the Ontario government has expanded the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) prevention program to include all individuals aged 75 years and older, helping to protect those most vulnerable during the upcoming respiratory illness season. Older adults, particularly those with existing health conditions, are more susceptible to severe disease and have an increased risk of RSV-related hospitalization and death, SEHU outlined. 

“The RSV vaccine is safe and effective in helping prevent serious disease from RSV infection in high-risk populations, like for those over the age of 75,” said Dr. Ethan Toumishey,  Deputy Medical Officer of Health for SEHU. 

“It’s important for those who meet the eligibility criteria to take this opportunity to protect themselves from serious complications of the virus.”  

In the release, SEHU stated that eligible individuals include those who are: 

• 75 years of age and older 
• 60 to 74 years of age, who meet high-risk criteria, including: 
  • Residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, or Elder Care Lodges 
  • Patients in hospital receiving alternate level of care (ALC) 
  • Patients receiving dialysis 
  • Solid organ or stem cell transplant recipients 
  • Individuals experiencing homelessness 
  • Individuals who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis 

The local health unit recommends speaking to health-care providers about getting the RSV vaccine. Currently, pharmacies do not administer RSV immunizations as part of Ontario’s publicly funded immunization program, according to the release. 

For those who do not have a health-care provider, SEHU is offering RSV vaccine clinics across the region for eligible individuals. Appointments can be booked at: 

• Hastings—Prince Edward County: Book Here or call 613-966-5500 
• Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington: Book Here or call 613-549-1232 
• Leeds, Grenville & Lanark: Book Here or call 1-800-660-5853 extension 2313

Individuals who received an RSV vaccine previously do not need another dose this season, SEHU stated. According to the release, studies show multi-year protection from the vaccination, and the timing for future doses is still under review. 

For more information about the RSV vaccine, and the infant RSV vaccination program, visit the SEHU’s RSV page. There is currently no respiratory illness data available.