Peak Viral Season

RSV is a major cause of respiratory illness in babies and young children that mainly affects their airway and lungs. RSV often causes cold-like symptoms and is the most common cause of a chest infection called bronchiolitis.

RSV spreads easily from person to person. You and your child can get RSV by having direct contact with a person or surface that is infected with RSV. You can also get it by being around someone infected with RSV who is coughing or sneezing.

Babies and young children often have mild illness from RSV and recover quickly, but some may develop a severe infection that leads to hospitalization and is life-threatening.

RSV is a leading cause of hospitalization for young children from the late fall to the early spring. This is why it’s important to get your newborn immunized to offer them the best protection!

There are two main ways to protect yourself and your newborn against RSV:
1. Practice good hand hygiene and do your best to avoid contact with people who are ill.
2. For babies and pregnant people, immunization offers great protection against RSV and is shown to reduce hospitalization.

The RSV immunization is used across the globe and results are in: it’s very safe! Immunization against RSV saves lives and reduces the need for hospitalization.

Similar to other routine immunizations there can be some minor side effects including a rash, swelling or redness at the injection site, or a slightly raised temperature.

Starting in October 2025, RSV immunization is available for babies born on, or after, April 1, 2025, who are less than eight months of age at the time of immunization. This is covered by Ontario, and immunizations are available through birthing hospitals, family physicians, Ottawa Public Health and community immunization programs like Vaccinate and Up-to-Date.

For more information, visit our Vaccination and Immunization page.