As a primary care provider and a parent, I know how stressful it can be when your baby gets sick. As fall arrives in the White River Valley, families may begin hearing more about RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus. Understanding this common virus — and the protection available — can help parents feel more prepared.
For most healthy children and adults, RSV causes cold-like symptoms. For young babies, especially those under 6 months, it can be much more serious. RSV can cause inflammation in the small airways of the lungs, pneumonia, difficulty breathing and trouble feeding. Even healthy babies can become sick enough to need hospital care.
The good news is that we now have two effective ways to help protect infants from severe RSV illness: vaccination during pregnancy or an antibody injection for the baby.
The RSV vaccine given during pregnancy helps the mother’s body produce antibodies that cross the placenta and protect her baby after birth. It is given during a specific window late in pregnancy, so expectant mothers should discuss timing with their prenatal care provider.
The other option is a long-acting antibody injection given directly to the baby. Two products are available: Beyfortus, also called nirsevimab, and Enflonsia, also called clesrovimab. A single dose provides protection for at least five months, helping cover a typical RSV season.
One distinction is especially helpful for parents to understand: The baby’s RSV injection is a monoclonal antibody rather than a vaccine. Vaccines teach the immune system to make its own protection. The antibody injection supplies ready-made antibodies that can begin protecting the baby right away.
Think of it as a shield: Vaccination during pregnancy helps Mom make a shield to pass along to her baby, while the infant antibody injection gives the baby a shield already made.
Most babies need one of these options rather than both. If a mother received the RSV vaccine during the current pregnancy at least 14 days before delivery, her baby generally does not need the antibody injection.
For infants younger than 8 months who are born during or entering their first RSV season, the antibody is recommended when the mother did not receive the vaccine during pregnancy, her vaccination status is unknown, or the baby arrived less than 14 days after vaccination. Certain children at higher risk may also qualify for Beyfortus during their second RSV season.
Timing matters. Babies born during RSV season should ideally receive the antibody within their first week of life, preferably before leaving the hospital. Eligible babies born outside the season can receive protection as the season approaches.
If you are expecting or have an infant at home, our team at Pioneers Medical Center would be happy to help you understand which option is appropriate for your family.
For eligible babies needing the RSV antibody injection, no appointment or phone call is needed. Stop by Pioneers Medical Center Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon or 2 to 4 p.m.
Caring for a newborn comes with plenty of questions. RSV protection is one step we can take together to help our community’s youngest residents have a healthier season.
By DR. ELIZABETH ROSS
Primary Care Provider
Pioneers Medical Center