Sweden has resumed offering protective antibodies to all newborns following a significant decrease in severe respiratory syncytial virus cases, marking a pivotal shift in child healthcare during the upcoming RSV season.
Sweden has started offering protective antibodies against respiratory syncytial virus to all newborn babies again this week, after what officials described as a striking drop in serious illness last winter. The programme, which began on 10 September, gives infants protection for about six months and is also available to some older children at higher risk of severe RSV infection.
The Swedish Public Health Agency said a preliminary analysis of last season found hospital admissions among children under six months fell by 82% compared with the previous winter. Intensive care admissions in that age group dropped to seven, from 45 the season before. Susanne Strömdahl, a medical expert at the agency, said in a statement that the lower numbers were mainly down to the antibodies, although she also noted that the RSV season itself was milder.
Respiratory syncytial virus is a common cause of breathing infections in young children and the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in babies under one year old, according to the agency. Most cases are mild and resemble a cold, but infants can become seriously unwell, with breathing difficulties or pneumonia. The agency says the protection now being offered is one of two main preventive options; the other is vaccination during pregnancy, which can help pass protection to the newborn after birth.
The roll-out comes as Sweden enters the RSV season, which usually runs until April or May. Health authorities have said the aim is to reduce the need for hospital care among the youngest children and other vulnerable groups, while also monitoring how the virus circulates and whether any infections occur despite the preventive treatment.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
