COVID-19 vaccine guidance for spring 2024 and wind-down of RSV fall 2023 high-risk program

Advisory Alert

March 22, 2024

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To: Local Health System Partners

FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION

COVID-19 vaccine guidance for spring 2024 campaign and wind-down of RSV season.

This Advisory Alert provides information on updated COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, priority populations, and vaccination opportunities for the COVID-19 spring campaign. Additionally, information is included about winding down the fall season for RSV vaccinations.

COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and priority populations

Following the recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), the Ontario Ministry of Health has updated the COVID-19 vaccine guidance (PDF) for Spring 2024. It is advised that individuals who are at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 may receive an additional dose of an XBB COVID-19 vaccine in spring 2024. Furthermore, the COVID-19 spring campaign will run from April 2024 to June 2024. The following individuals may receive an additional COVID-19 dose this spring:

• adults 65 years of age or older
• adult residents of long-term care homes and other congregate living settings for seniors
• individuals 6 months of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (due to an underlying condition or treatment)
• individuals 55 years of age and older who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis and their non-Indigenous household members who are 55 years of age and older

It is particularly important for those individuals at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 infection who did not receive a dose of COVID-19 vaccine during the fall 2023 program to receive a dose in spring 2024.

Eligible individuals, as per populations outlined above, may receive a dose of COVID-19 vaccine this spring if it has been 6 months from the previous COVID-19 vaccine dose or known SARS-CoV-2 infection (whichever is later). NACI notes a shorter interval (3 to <6 months) can be used to support program implementation if needed.

Please note: all other individuals who are not currently recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine dose this spring should wait for further Ontario Ministry of Health recommendations. This also includes individuals who are not eligible as per the above populations and did not receive a dose during the fall 2023 program unless they are specifically recommended by a health care provider.

Current vaccination opportunities through Public Health Sudbury & Districts

Beginning the week of April 1, 2024, COVID-19 vaccination opportunities will be available through Public Health Sudbury & Districts for persons at increased risk for COVID-19 related complications or hospitalization. A list of scheduled clinics can be found at phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics. Please note that due to the discontinuation of provincial funding for COVID-19 vaccination efforts, offerings through Public Health Sudbury & Districts have decreased compared to past seasons. Please consider ordering and administering COVID-19 vaccine through your practice.

Ordering COVID-19 vaccine

The XBB 1.5 formulation of COVID-19 vaccines are available to order through your normal ordering practices. Your participation and support for the COVID-19 vaccine program is critical as we continue to respond to the ongoing circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus as well as other vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases.

Wind-down of RSV fall 2023 high-risk vaccination season

As part of the fall 2023 high-risk RSV vaccine program, 75 500 doses were distributed from local public health agencies across Ontario as of March 11, 2024. Currently in Canada, RSV cases are stable and remains below expected levels for this time of year. The percent positivity in Ontario has been decreasing since December 2023. Due to this, the Ontario Ministry of Health is calling for a wind-down of RSV vaccine programs for high-risk groups. Further details on the 2024–2025 RSV season and vaccination program will be provided closer to fall 2024.

Thank you for your ongoing support in protecting and promoting health in our communities.

Sincerely,

Original Signed By

M. Mustafa Hirji, MD, MPH, FRCPC
Acting Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer

NOTE: All Advisory Alerts are found on our website.

This item was last modified on April 12, 2024