Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV infections range from mild cold-like symptoms to severe respiratory infections. It is a common cause of lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia and bronchiolitis (swelling of small airways) in certain high-risk groups, like the elderly, especially during the fall and winter months.
At Save-On-Foods Pharmacy! Contact your nearest Save-On-Foods pharmacy or book an appointment online.
Cold-like symptoms which may include a runny nose, coughing, sneezing, headache, feeling tired, and a fever
Older adults are at a higher risk of severe outcomes due to RSV infections. Those over the age of 60 are encouraged to get the vaccine to protect themselves and others from the virus. This group includes individuals with underlying chronic medical conditions, such as:
Newborns are particularly vulnerable to severe RSV infections due to their developing immune systems and small airways. To help protect them, pregnant women are advised to consult their healthcare provider about receiving the RSV vaccine, typically administered between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation.
Two RSV vaccines have been authorized for use in Canada to prevent lower lung infections caused by RSV. Both are administered intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle:
*May not be publicly funded by your provincial health authority. A prescription may be required in selected provinces. See pharmacist for details.
Speak with your pharmacist to book an appointment.
Vaccines protect you and your community from serious diseases, and adults need them too because immunity can fade and some vaccines require boosters. If you missed vaccines as a child or your immune system weakens with age, staying updated is important. Your doctor or pharmacist can review your history, recommend needed vaccines based on your health and lifestyle, and often give them during one convenient visit.
The chart below provides a guide to the vaccines generally recommended for adults. Some vaccines are covered by your provincial health plan or through your employer’s private health benefits plan. See your pharmacist and employer benefits department for more information.