Parents in Manitoba will have a new way to protect their newborns from serious illness this fall and winter, thanks to the arrival of a new RSV antibody.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, commonly known as RSV, is a seasonal virus that circulates in late fall and winter, often causing typical cold symptoms. For most people, it passes quickly, but for some babies, particularly newborns, RSV can be far more dangerous.
“Unfortunately, for babies, the younger they are, the more likely they are to have a really severe infection that lands them in the hospital, or worse, in the ICU,” says Dr. Davinder Singh, Medical Officer of Health with Southern Health–Santé Sud. “It can be a severe infection.”
Months of peace of mind
Until now, only babies at the highest risk qualified for an antibody program in Manitoba. That protection came with a catch: the previous product had to be given every month throughout the RSV season.
This year marks a turning point. A new antibody called nirsevimab is being offered to all babies born between Oct. 1 and March 31. Unlike its predecessor, it requires only a single injection, providing protection that lasts five to six months.
“This new product isn’t a vaccine; it’s an antibody that gives temporary protection. It can reduce severe outcomes such as hospitalizations or severe infections by up to 90 per cent. We’ve got good information from several countries now to show how effective it is," he explains.
Roughly one per cent of babies develop a severe RSV infection that requires hospitalization. With nearly 17,000 babies born in Manitoba each year, that could mean as many as 170 infants are hospitalized annually. For babies with existing health conditions, the risk can rise to one in 20.
Spotting RSV isn’t always easy
Parents should be aware that RSV appears very similar to other winter viruses. Symptoms often include a runny nose, cough, and breathing difficulty. While testing is rarely needed, Singh says prevention is the best safeguard.
“The best way to help avoid having a severe infection is prevention. For babies born during the RSV season, that means getting this new option for an immunization that should be offered before the baby leaves the hospital.”
If it isn’t received in the hospital, families can still access it later through public health or designated clinics. Doctors recommend parents discuss it ahead of time, before they’re caught up in the whirlwind of delivery and newborn care.
“When you’re actually at the hospital, having just delivered your new baby, a lot is going on. You’re exhausted, you’re sleep-deprived, so it may be tough to make decisions in that moment. Hopefully, if families can think about it beforehand and talk to their health care provider, they’ll be ready," he adds.
Prevention is the best safeguard
With RSV season approaching, the introduction of nirsevimab offers peace of mind to Manitoba families and, more importantly, a chance to keep the province’s youngest residents safe.
“RSV is a common infection, and there’s no way to know if your baby is going to have a severe infection. Most severe infections occur in babies that have no chronic medical conditions, just because there are so many more of them. So why take that one per cent chance when there’s something safe and effective that can prevent your baby from ending up in the hospital?”
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