Pfizer Canada has announced that its vaccine, ABRYSVO, for the prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), will be publicly funded in multiple provinces and territories across Canada for the 2025-2026 season. This decision reflects the growing recognition of the burden RSV places on older adults and the importance of proactive immunization strategies. Following a successful national tender process, ABRYSVO will be offered as a publicly funded option in several provinces, with expanded eligibility criteria that align with the latest recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).
The expansion of public funding for RSV immunization is a significant step in prioritizing RSV prevention and ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to immunization options. Ontario will continue to offer RSV immunization for pregnant individuals and will expand the program to older adults, offering ABRYSVO as an option to help protect infants from birth through their first months of life.
RSV is often misunderstood or overlooked, but it can have devastating consequences, particularly for older adults and young children. Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge, welcomed the expansion of public funding for RSV immunization, stating that every step taken to protect vulnerable populations helps reduce hospitalizations and improves quality of life.
ABRYSVO is the first and only RSV vaccine indicated for adults 18 years and older, and it also has a dual indication to help protect adults and infants from birth to 6 months of age through maternal immunization. This addresses a substantial unmet need and provides a valuable tool in the prevention of RSV.
Individuals who are not covered by the public program may still have access to ABRYSVO through private coverage. Pfizer Canada will provide additional information regarding provincial implementation and eligibility requirements as updates are released. The company is committed to setting the standard for quality, safety, and value in the discovery, development, and manufacture of healthcare products, and this announcement reflects its ongoing efforts to advance wellness, prevention, treatments, and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time.