Manitoba may not cover costs of RSV vaccines until next year's respiratory virus season

Manitoba's top doctor says the province is awaiting federal guidance anticipated in 2024 before it decides whether to cover the cost of respiratory syncytial virus vaccines, but one Winnipegger says the price of the jab is a barrier for many seniors like her.

Last week, Ontario announced plans to introduce a publicly funded vaccination program for Arexvy,the first adult RSV vaccine approved by Health Canada, which happenedin August. The vaccine will be free for people older than 60 and living in long-term care homes, elder care lodges and some retirement homes.

On Wednesday, ManitobaChief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin said there are currently no such plans in the province.

"One jurisdiction has moved with a limited approach," but most others in Canada "are awaiting the usual process," he said at a news conference.

The province is awaiting recommendations from Canada's national advisory committee on immunization (NACI), expected to be released by fall 2024,before decisions are made on a publicly funded RSV vaccine program in Manitoba, a provincial spokesperson told CBC News.

Vaccine cost a 'deterrent': Winnipeg senior

Until then,pharmacies can order the vaccine through their own distributors, the spokesperson said.

The Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy at Winnipeg's Kildonan Place confirmed to CBC News on Wednesday that it currently carries Arexvy, which comes with a $267 price tag.

That cost is "a deterrent for certain" for Winnipegger Pat Clark, and she said it's a big chunk of money for manyseniors, "if they have any disposable income at all."

"I would think twice about it even if my doctor recommended it," said Clark, who recently celebrated her 74th birthday.

Clark has received an annual flu shot for the last three decades, is up to date on her COVID vaccinationsand wanted to get the RSV vaccine as a precautionary measure heading into respiratory virus season.

The 74-year-old says she would like to see the cost of the vaccine covered for high-risk individuals like her in Manitoba.

"The more prevention that we can do is better for public health," she said. "And I consider this RSV vaccine [to be] that kind of prevention."

Provincial data shows there were no confirmed cases of RSV in ManitobafromSept. 3-9, which is down from four the week prior.

It also shows 137 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Manitoba during that period, with a positivity rate of 9.6 per cent a 1.2-percentage-point increase from the week before, which included 25 hospital admissions and two to intensive care.

One confirmed case of Influenza A was reported during that week, compared to two the week prior, according to the province. But Roussin says that data is unreliable since testing is typically low early in the respiratory virus season.

Province encourages COVID-19, flu shots

While an RSV vaccine is not yet publicly subsidized, Manitobans are able toreceive COVID-19 and flu shots safely at the same time as respiratory virus season sets in, said Roussin. Campaigns for both will roll out simultaneously in the province in mid-October.

"We're certainly going to see an increase in cases in [hospital] admissions but that is respiratory virus season," he said.

People over the age of 65 should get a high-dose flu shot for a stronger immune response, and anyone above that age should get a pneumococcal vaccine if they have never received one before, said Roussin.

On Tuesday, the province recommended all vaccinated Manitobans get an updated COVID-19 booster shot this fall, and wait six months after their last shot before receiving a booster.

Health Canada approved Moderna's updated COVID-19 vaccine for all Canadians six months of age or older last week. The mRNA-based shot is formulated to better protect against the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant and is more tailored to virus strains currently in circulation.

While mRNA vaccines continue to be recommended, Roussin said the particular brand is not important. Manitoba is expected to have access primarily to the updated Moderna COVID-19 shot.

The first shipments of that shot are expected to arrive in Manitoba next week and will be sent to higher-risk groups first, including personal care homes, First Nation communities and hospitals, he said.

After that, Roussin said the vaccinewill be widely available andwill not be rolled out in stages according to age group. Vaccinationsupersites and public masking requirements are also unlikely to return to Manitoba.

Manitobans can use typical prevention measures such as regular hand washing and staying home while sick to protect themselves, said Roussin.

"We are through the crisis of the pandemic we're entering another respiratory virus seasonwe're going to see people get sick," he said.

"One of the best tools that we have is vaccination."