Practicum Student - RSV Immunization Program Evaluation

Overview

Department : Immunization and Vaccine Preventable Diseases

This posting is to fill a current vacancy.

The Role

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prevention has undergone significant changes in Ontario in recent years. RSV prevention (using palivizumab) has been funded for high-risk infants and young children since 2002 in Ontario. However, beginning in the 2024 – 2025 season, Ontario expanded the RSV prevention program to include all infants and high-risk children up to 24 months of age. This occurred in the context of the authorization of two new RSV immunization products, including the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab delivered directly to infants and the RSVpreF vaccine for maternal immunization for the passive protection of infants.

In the fall of 2023, Ontario implemented a vaccine program for older adults initially targeting those ≥60 years old who live in long-term care homes (LTCH) and other high-risk populations. Following this, in the 2025 – 2026 respiratory season, eligibility was further expanded to include all individuals aged ≥75 years. Public Health Ontario (PHO) is leading a comprehensive RSV immunization program evaluation consisting of enhanced epidemiological analyses, a vaccine safety assessment, and a process evaluation of program implementation.

While this student placement may contribute to any component of the RSV prevention program evaluation, the focus will be on the process evaluation component. PHO is conducting a process evaluation of the 2025 – 2026 RSV prevention program in both older adults and in infants and high-risk children that will consist of an online survey of immunization partners followed by focus group sessions. The evaluation aims to identify resources and procedures required to implement the immunization programs in public health units, LTCH and primary care practices across Ontario, describe the professional or organizational experience of implementing the immunization programs, characterize barriers and facilitators to program implementation, and identify opportunities for improvement for subsequent seasons.

The successful student will support this process evaluation by working with an interdisciplinary team to collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data and to interpret and synthesize findings into relevant knowledge translation products.

Suggested placement start date : May to August 2026

Please Note

• this position is only open to students who are currently enrolled in an academic program where the completion of a practicum placement is required.
• this position is only open to students currently residing in Ontario and attending a Canadian academic institution. Preference will be given to students enrolled in Ontario-based academic institutions.
• this is a paid placement.

Educational Objectives

Proposed Deliverables At The End Of The Placement

Required Education And Experience

Completed coursework in :

Duration : Student (Fixed Term), 3 month(s)

Hours of Work : Full time, 36.25 hours per week

Compensation Range : $700.00 - $725.00

Posting Date : 01-5-2026

Closing Date : 01-20-2026

Please note : applications will be received no later than 11 : 59pm on the date preceding the closing date as indicated on the Job Requisition.

Note : Internal candidates will be considered first.

While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be contacted. Any information obtained during the course of recruitment will be used for employment recruitment purposes only, and not for any other purpose.

PHO is committed to ensuring equity in employment. Our goal is to create a diverse, inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to ensure our services and communications are accessible to all individuals. Any candidate who requires a job posting in an alternative format may email a request to HR_Inquiries@oahpp.ca. Once an applicant has been selected for an interview, they can inform PHO about any accommodations they may require at any stage of the interview process.

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