Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a major cause of illness among infants and young children. Infants under six months are one of the groups most likely to experience severe RSV infection requiring hospitalizations. This virus affects the lungs and breathing passages and is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in young children. Its active season is now (from November to March).
The RSV medication (Beyfortus), given as a one time injection, helps to protect infants against severe RSV disease by stimulating the infant’s immune system to produce protective antibodies. Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) is safe and provides protection to infants for at least the first 5 months of life if the medication is given at birth.
Ontario has expanded the eligibility for the RSV Prevention Program to all infants:
- Infants born in 2024 prior to RSV season: You can schedule an appointment with our nursing team or this can be given alongside the routine vaccines during a Well Baby visit.
- Infants born in 2024/2025 during RSV season will receive it in hospital.
- High risk children up to 24 months: You can contact our office to check criteria.
Please visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-prevention-programs for more information