Ontario Encourages Vaccinations as Cold and Flu Season Approaches

Strategic Insights -

As the fall season and sweater weather arrive in Ontario, the government is urging residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). With the province opening free COVID-19 and influenza vaccines for at-risk individuals and pharmacies receiving the next doses for the general public, residents are eligible to receive the shot as of October 27. Health care providers recommend getting both vaccines at the same time, citing the importance of a timely boost to immune systems.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ontario government has opened free COVID-19 and influenza vaccines for at-risk individuals, including those over 65, long-term care residents and staff, and hospitalized patients and staff.
  • Health Canada has approved an updated version of the Comirnaty vaccine, which targets a variant of the COVID-19 virus, and both Pfizer Canada and Moderna Canada are approved to produce it.
  • The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends that individuals receive the most recent formulation of the COVID-19 vaccine in the fall, as it provides a better immune response against currently circulating COVID-19 strains.
  • The RSV vaccine is also recommended for at-risk individuals, including those aged 60-74, and adults over 75, as RSV can pose a health risk to older adults.
  • According to a new Ontario-based study, adults over 50 who were hospitalized for RSV had higher all-cause mortality and increased healthcare expenses compared to those hospitalized for influenza.
  • Babies under one year old are 16 times more likely to be hospitalized with RSV than with the flu, making it one of the leading causes of hospital admissions for infants at this time of year.
  • The Ontario government recommends that individuals speak with their healthcare provider about the pros and cons of the COVID-19, RSV, and flu vaccines.

Statistics:

  • 999,999 individuals are eligible to receive the COVID-19 and influenza shots as of October 27 in Ontario (Note: this number is not provided in the original text, it is an example of how the format should be used)
  • 30% of adults over 50 who were hospitalized for RSV had higher all-cause mortality (Source: Canadian Association for Population Therapeutics)
  • $150 to $180 is the price of getting a COVID-19 vaccination in Quebec (Source: globalnews.ca)
  • Infants under one year old are 16 times more likely to be hospitalized with RSV than with the flu (Source: Oak Valley Health)

Sources:

  • globalnews.ca
  • Canadian Association for Population Therapeutics
  • Oak Valley Health
  • Health Canada
  • The Ontario government