NEWS RELEASE
HALTON HEALTHCARE
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Halton Healthcare, in partnership with Halton Public Health, is pleased to be opening a seasonal clinic to offer RSV immunizations to infants. The Halton Healthcare Paediatric RSV Immunization Clinic will be held at Milton District Hospital and will help families and caregivers conveniently access immunization under the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) new universal infant RSV prevention program.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is one of the most harmful and dangerous illnesses for young infants and children. Until this year, free immunizations were only available to high-risk infants or premature babies. Under the new provincial program, all newborns and babies born after January 1, 2024, are eligible for immunization free of cost. High-risk toddlers under the age of two are also eligible.
RSV is a common illness that many children will encounter by age two. It is highly contagious and spreads through the air or by touching contaminated surfaces. While RSV is typically mild in older children, those under the age of two are most at risk for severe illness.
By the numbers:
- 30 to 40 per cent of pediatric hospitalizations at Halton Healthcare during the fall and winter months are due to RSV
- 70 per cent of infants hospitalized with RSV have no other risk factors than their age
- 2 per cent of all infants are hospitalized due to RSV within their first year of life
- The new RSV immunization offers 80-90 per cent protection that lasts up to six months
The immunization is a safe, single dose of Beyfortus, an antibody that works to prevent severe RSV infections. It can be conveniently administered with informed consent to newborns while in the hospital post-delivery. Those under the age of 12 months, or aged 12-24 months who are high risk, can access the immunization through their primary care provider or Halton Healthcare’s dedicated RSV clinic. Halton Healthcare began offering immunization to newborns born in hospital on November 4, 2024.
The RSV public clinic is the first of its kind for Halton and appointments can be booked starting today, November 11, by calling 905-203-7937. It will be open Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm and on weekends from 8am to 4pm. The clinic will open on November 18, 2024. Appointments will be held in the north side of Milton District Hospital and patients/families can enter and exit through Lot 2. An OHIP card is not required.
The provincial change in eligibility is expected to have a significant impact on the number of young children requiring hospitalization this year, and the overall health of our paediatric community.
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