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Supporting Healthcare Providers this Respiratory Season

As we enter the flu and respiratory illness season, the Mid-West Toronto Ontario Health Team (MWT-OHT) remains committed to equipping healthcare and community workers with the tools and resources needed to protect patients and communities.

Your role is critical in managing the impacts of respiratory illnesses. We encourage you to:

  • Stay Informed: Access up-to-date guidance and real-time surveillance data to support patient care.

  • Promote Vaccination: Encourage eligible patients to receive influenza, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines. Vaccines are now available across Toronto, and all three can be safely co-administered (per Toronto Public Health, Nov 2025).

  • Follow Best Practices: Maintain high standards of infection prevention, including appropriate masking, hygiene, and ventilation in clinical settings.

  • Support Vulnerable Populations: Address barriers to care by integrating social determinants of health into your practice.

Need Additional Support?

We encourage our partners to connect with their local Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Hubs for expert guidance and resources on managing respiratory illnesses. IPAC Hubs provide tailored infection prevention and control support to help safeguard your teams and communities. They can also support organizations applying Ministry of Health and Toronto Public Health guidance in complex settings.

Contact: IPACHubs@ontario.ca

Resources and Tools

Vaccine Guidance*

(*Accurate as of October 2025.)

Where to get vaccinated
For the most up-to-date information on where to receive vaccines, visit this page: ontario.ca/vaccine-locations/.

RSV

  • Eligibility:

    • Infants <8 months (born Apr 1, 2025+)

    • Children up to 24 months with high-risk conditions

    • Pregnant individuals (32–36 weeks, Oct–Mar delivery)

    • Adults ≥60 (per MOH eligibility)

  • Timing: Starts Oct 1, 2025

  • Notes: Nirsevimab (Beyfortus®) for infants; Abrysvo in pregnancy; adult program publicly funded

Influenza

  • Eligibility: All Ontarians ≥6 months

  • Timing:

    • High-risk groups: week of Oct 6

    • General population: Oct 27

  • Notes: All vaccines are trivalent (TIV) this year; ≥65 may receive TIV-adj, TIV-HD, or TIV

COVID-19

  • Eligibility: Strongly recommended for ≥65, LTC/congregate residents, high-risk medical conditions, pregnant individuals, Indigenous communities, racialized/equity-denied groups, health care workers. All others ≥6 months eligible.

  • Timing: Product expected end of Sept / early Oct, offered in parallel with influenza campaign

  • Notes: Annual fall dose; safe to co-administer with flu and RSV vaccines

For complete eligibility criteria, formulations, and distribution details, please refer to the MOH Seasonal Respiratory Pathogens Guide (Aug 2025) and TPH Respiratory Round-Up 2025 slides.

Testing & Treatment

Who can get a free PCR test?
Publicly funded PCR testing is available for people who could benefit from COVID-19 treatment, such as:

  • Adults 65 and older

  • People with serious health conditions (e.g., weakened immune system, advanced kidney disease, certain cancers)

  • Residents or staff in long-term care or other high-risk congregate settings

  • Unvaccinated or under-vaccinated people with risk factors

  • Pregnant individuals (case-by-case, based on risk)

Why it matters: A positive PCR test is required to access antivirals like Paxlovid or remdesivir.

Where to test

  • Public Health Ontario and partner labs

  • Participating pharmacies and hospitals

  • Long-term care and congregate settings during outbreaks

Outpatient treatment

  • Paxlovid (oral) and remdesivir (IV) remain available for eligible patients

  • Pharmacies and primary care can prescribe and dispense rapidly

  • LTC homes are encouraged to pre-assess residents so treatment can start right away if needed

More info: Ontario COVID-19 Testing & Treatment (updated Aug 2025)

System-Wide Tools & Navigation

Ontario Respiratory Virus Tool

Interactive dashboard from Public Health Ontario with up-to-date data on influenza, COVID-19, and RSV activity across the province.

Toronto Health & Social Services Directory

Searchable database of health and community services across Toronto. Useful for patient navigation and referrals.

Health811

Provincial 24/7 navigation service providing advice, resources, and connections to care by phone (811), online, or through the app.

Annual OHT/PCN Surge Planning Roadmap

Outlines local planning and coordination for surge season, including vaccine rollout and holiday coverage.

Ontario Health Fall/Winter Preparedness Tools

Includes a preparedness checklist and staffing/HHR planning resources for community organizations.

Frostbite Educational Materials

These assets have been created by the Canadian Frostbite Care Network.

Integrated Respiratory Diseases Dashboard

This dashboard provides an overview of the case, institutional outbreak, and wastewater activity for COVID-19 and influenza, and other respiratory pathogens in the City of Toronto

Sector Resource Spotlights

Primary Care (Family Health Teams, Community Health Centres, Primary Care Networks)

  • Family Physician Respiratory Resources – OCFP: tools and updates to help doctors manage respiratory season (last updated February 28,2025).

  • The MWT Family Practice Network will be sharing a holiday schedule closer to the season, with details on holiday hours and available coverage. This resource will help you and your patients know where care is available during the busiest times of year.

Hospitals & Paramedic Services

Community Support Services

  • COVID-19 Awareness Resources: Government of Canada awareness materials including posters, videos, and social media graphics to support prevention messaging.