As respiratory virus season approaches, Canada is facing a significant RSV vaccination gap among its most vulnerable population. New government data reveal that only 34% of Canadians aged 75 and older have received the RSV vaccine, and just 21% of those aged 60–74 with chronic conditions are vaccinated — well below what public health experts consider protective. Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) strongly recommends the vaccine for all adults 75+ and for high-risk adults aged 65–74, but provinces retain the authority to decide what gets publicly funded.

The result is a patchwork of coverage across the country. British Columbia, Ontario, and PEI cover adults 75+, while Alberta extends coverage to those 70+ and certain high-risk groups. Experts stress that RSV is far more than a childhood illness — in adults 65+, it drives roughly 336,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 in-hospital deaths globally each year. Real-world data suggest the vaccine meaningfully reduces hospitalizations and ICU admissions, with efficacy potentially lasting two or more seasons.

By the Numbers:

• 34% — RSV vaccine coverage among Canadians aged 75+
• 21% — coverage among adults aged 60–74 with chronic conditions
• ~336,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 in-hospital deaths annually in adults 65+ globally due to RSV
• RSV accounts for 5%–8% of symptomatic respiratory infections in adults 60+

Why it matters: Clinicians are on the front lines of closing this gap, but a doctor's recommendation doesn't guarantee access. Unequal provincial funding means a senior's protection from a potentially deadly virus can hinge on their postal code — a disparity experts say must be addressed to ease the burden on hospitals during peak respiratory season.