Ontario is doubling the number of children eligible for vaccination against a virus that can make young kids very sick. The province says infants and high-risk children up to two years old will have access to new immunization to protect against respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. Download our app to get alerts on your device Get the latest local updates right to your inbox Pregnant women will also be able to be inoculated with a different vaccine to provide protection to newborns.
In late 2022, Ontario's four main pediatric hospitals became overwhelmed with really sick young children, a situation that forced them to cancel surgeries and redeploy staff to intensive care units and emergency departments. RSV was particularly bad that year, as was the flu along with a surge of COVID-19. Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr.
Kieran Moore says the changes should better protect young children from severe outcomes. "To be ready for this year's respiratory illness season, we all need to take the simple and effective steps to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities and our health-care system,” Moore wrote in a statement. “RSV is a highly contagious virus that causes infections of the respiratory tract, especially in the very young and older members of our communities.
" The province says children will be able to receive doses of Beyfortus, made by Sanofi and approved by Health Canada last year. Pregnant women will have the option to receive Abrysvo, made by Pfizer and a.