Ontario is set to launch its fall vaccination campaign in October, providing free access to an updated COVID-19 vaccine for the general public. This initiative comes as Alberta and Quebec have ceased funding for COVID vaccines for the general population, limiting them to high-risk groups. In contrast, Ontario is expanding its vaccination efforts, which will also include vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the flu.

The campaign will begin at pharmacies, doctors' offices, and clinics across the province. Ontario has recently introduced a new preventive antibody RSV vaccine for infants, which has already seen over 70% of eligible infants receive the treatment in its first year. Early indications suggest this has led to a reduction in severe outcomes and hospitalizations.

Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, emphasizes the importance of immunization, calling it "one of the most effective public health interventions in history." However, he warns that declining vaccine confidence and misinformation are undermining these efforts. Moore's annual report, released in August, highlighted the need for a modern vaccine registry to better track immunization rates and address gaps in coverage.

Public health officials are concerned about the recent rise in vaccine skepticism. In 2024, only 67% of Canadian parents expressed confidence in vaccinating their children, a significant drop from 88% in 2019. This decline in trust is reflected in the measles outbreak in Ontario, which has seen 2,375 cases this year, primarily among unimmunized infants, children, and adolescents. The province's measles vaccination coverage for seven-year-olds has fallen to 70%, well below the 93% threshold needed for herd immunity.

In Ottawa, vaccination rates are slightly better, with 81% of students born in 2017 and 88% of those born in 2007 vaccinated. However, the lower rates among younger students indicate a troubling trend. Epidemiologist Raywat Deonandan warns that the resurgence of diseases like measles signals a broader issue with immunization levels. He expressed concern that a generation may grow up with incomplete vaccination coverage, leading to higher infection rates.

To combat these trends, public health officials are implementing special clinics and outreach programs to encourage families to update their children's vaccinations. The updated COVID vaccine, the first developed in Canada, is expected to be a good match for current virus strains.

Moore's report also noted that Ontario's outdated vaccination tracking system complicates efforts to assess community risk and plan targeted interventions. He called for improvements to this system, especially as vaccine fatigue has impacted seasonal vaccination rates. For instance, only 46.3% of older adults received COVID-19 vaccines last fall, a significant drop from 73.7% in 2022.

As part of the fall campaign, COVID-19 and flu vaccines will be available to high-risk groups starting in mid-October, including adults aged 65 and older, residents of long-term care homes, and immunocompromised individuals. The general public will have access to these vaccines starting October 27.

Publicly funded RSV vaccines will also be available for high-risk adults and infants. Health officials recommend that everyone six months and older receive the flu vaccine to prevent severe illness. The province's commitment to free COVID-19 vaccines aims to bolster public health efforts amid rising vaccine skepticism.