Chatham-Kent Public Health in Chatham, Ontario has expanded its publicly funded Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination program starting in the 2025–2026 respiratory season so that all residents aged 75 and older are eligible to receive the RSV vaccine free of charge under Ontario’s RSV prevention programs. The move aims to protect seniors before the winter ‘triple threat’ of RSV, influenza and COVID-19 and to reduce hospital admissions.
Eligible residents can receive either Arexvy or Abrysvo. Primary care providers and local public health manage access to the publicly funded vaccine; those without a primary care provider can schedule an appointment through the Chatham-Kent Public Health clinic at 435 Grand Ave West by calling 519-352-7270 ext. 5902 or by visiting the CK Public Health immunization page. The publicly funded RSV vaccine is not available through pharmacies for older adults — pharmacists may administer RSV vaccine but do not have access to the publicly funded supply, so pharmacy administration would be by private purchase.
“The mission of the public health services is that everyone in Chatham-Kent has the opportunity to reach optimal health,” said Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, Medical Officer of Health, to Sydenham Current. Health officials encourage seniors to book their shots now, before RSV cases rise later this winter.
RSV can cause severe pneumonia and hospital stays in older adults, especially those with weakened immune systems or chronic conditions. The RSV vaccine can be given at the same time as, or before or after, influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. Higher vaccination coverage among eligible groups is intended to help ease pressure on Chatham-Kent Health Alliance emergency departments this season.
