Flu season is fast approaching, and along with influenza and COVID-19, RSV continues to impact vulnerable groups such as infants, the elderly and those who are pregnant as the colder months begin. Fortunately this year, there are new ways to protect these individuals from the harms of RSV.

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We talked with Dr. Mark Yudin of St. Michael’s Hospital, who specializes in Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anne Wormsbecker a consultant paediatrician at St. Joseph’s Health Centre and Marisa Cicero, Senior Clinical Program Director, Women & Children’s Health at St. Joseph’s Health Centre. This is what they had to say about protecting yourself and your loved ones from RSV.

What is RSV?

RSV is the shortened name for respiratory syncytial virus. For some people, it might only cause a bad cold. But for babies, elderly individuals and people with medical conditions that put them at higher risk, it causes more serious symptoms including breathing difficulty with wheezing, congestion and trouble feeding for infants. Sometimes people with these symptoms need to be hospitalized. As in previous years, RSV season runs roughly from November to April.

What are we expecting for this year’s RSV season?

This year, for the first time in Ontario, we will have publicly funded protection against RSV. These immunizations work very well to prevent severe illness and hospitalization from RSV. We expect to have the medication available in hospitals beginning mid-October (primary care doctors will get it soon after that) and will start administering it as soon as possible, so that people are protected before RSV season starts. The immunization is free to residents of Ontario.

What advice would you have for families with young children/pregnant people?

Our advice is for newborn babies to receive nirsevimab (Beyfortus), which is not a vaccine, but an antibody which provides excellent protection and dramatically reduces the chance of hospitalization with RSV. For newborns born during this RSV season, nirsevimab will be given in hospital before the baby goes home after birth so they are protected at the time they are most vulnerable. Ideally this product will be given in the hospital, after birth and prior to discharge home. Protection against RSV lasts at least six months. A second choice is vaccination with RSVPreF (Abrysvo) near the end of pregnancy (recommended at 32-36 weeks). However, when it comes to preventing serious illness with RSV, we know the antibody for babies works better than the vaccine during pregnancy.

We can also protect ourselves from RSV the same ways they we try to avoid the flu and other viruses by washing our hands, coughing and sneezing into our sleeves and staying home when we are sick. But we know these strategies are not easy for families with young children! We also recommend that patients and families speak to their care provider if they have any questions about RSV.   

What are your recommendations for immunization to protect babies from RSV?

We know from our colleagues in Europe (who used these immunizations last RSV season), that these medications work really, really well! All babies born in 2024 can be protected against RSV, not just those born during the upcoming RSV season. There are some toddlers who are at higher risk of RSV infection and can get the antibody in their second year of life, too. For babies and toddlers, visit your primary care provider or contact your local public health unit to get the immunization. If your baby is born in the next few months, we recommend they get protected from birth.  

What are we doing at Unity Health to support families this RSV season?

In line with the Provincial guidance, we are prioritizing providing Beyfortus to newborns, and are ready at both St. Michael’s and St. Joseph’s, to ensure babies receive their immunization before they go home.  We expect to receive our first shipment of Beyfortus mid to end October and will begin immunizing babies shortly after that. Pregnant people wishing to consider the Immunization should speak to their primary care provider. 

What impact will the immunizations have?

These immunizations will be game-changers for families. We know that the monoclonal antibody given to babies decreases the risk of hospitalization due to RSV by roughly 80 per cent. The vaccine given during pregnancy decreases the risk by roughly 55 to 60 per cent.

Is it safe to get COVID-19, flu and RSV immunization around the same time?

Yes, it is possible and safe to get all vaccines and immunizations at the same time. At birth, this will be the only immunization offered but babies and toddlers, pregnant individuals and older adults can get more than one immunization at once, effectively and safely.

By Caitie Lehman