The Federation of Medical Women of Canada releases new guidance to reduce severe respiratory syncytial virus risks in infants, highlighting current disparities in vaccine access across the country.
The Federation of Medical Women of Canada has issued a new primary care implementation brief aimed at helping doctors, public health officials and families reduce the risk of severe respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, in infants. The group said the guidance is intended to translate existing evidence into practical steps for conversations in pregnancy and after birth, at a time when awareness of infant RSV protection remains uneven.
According to Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization, updated guidance released in April recommends universal, seasonal RSV protection for infants, including maternal immunisation during pregnancy and infant immunisation after birth with monoclonal antibodies such as nirsevimab and clesrovimab, alongside the RSVpreF vaccine in pregnancy. The Canadian Immunization Guide likewise advises that infants receive protection during their first RSV season, with the exact approach depending on the province or territory.
The federation said RSV is a major reason for infant hospital admissions in Canada and that many of the most serious cases occur in otherwise healthy full-term babies. It also said the virus places a substantial burden on hospitals and families, with seasonal pressure on emergency departments, paediatric wards and intensive care units. In the brief, Dr Shelley Ross said many parents are first hearing about RSV protection only when they are already dealing with other newborn decisions, while Dr Vivien Brown said clinicians need clearer tools and more up-to-date resources to guide those discussions.
The organisation also pointed to early results from Ontario’s first RSV protection season, saying 73 per cent of births included some form of protection and 69 per cent of newborns received nirsevimab before leaving hospital. Ontario’s publicly funded programme currently offers both an infant monoclonal antibody and a pregnancy vaccine, although the province says the antibody is the preferred option for infants and the two products are not generally used together. The federation said access remains uneven across Canada, with eligibility, funding and delivery pathways varying by jurisdiction, creating what it described as gaps in protection depending on where families live.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
