New Data Reveals RSV Shots Prevent Severe Infections in Infants

Recent data indicates that monoclonal antibody shots significantly reduce hospitalizations for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants, a virus linked to serious respiratory infections in newborns. This development offers hope to parents who have experienced the trauma of RSV-related hospital stays, like Calgary resident Katrina Bellavance, whose seven-week-old daughter was hospitalized with the virus in 2023.

RSV is a common but potentially dangerous virus that can lead to severe respiratory complications in infants, including wheezing, pneumonia, and in extreme cases, death. Dr. Jesse Papenburg, a clinician-researcher at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, emphasized that RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization among infants in their first year of life.

Significant Advances in Prevention

According to a recent review published in the New England Journal of Medicine by Dr. Jake Scott, an associate professor at Stanford University, monoclonal antibody shots have proven to reduce RSV hospitalizations by more than 80 percent. The review analyzed over 500 studies and highlighted the dramatic impact of these shots in various countries. In Spain, pediatric intensive care units reported a 90 percent reduction in RSV admissions, while Chile observed a decrease of approximately 75 percent.

In Canada, the introduction of a universal infant antibody shot program in Quebec resulted in the prevention of more than half of the usual RSV-related hospitalizations and ICU admissions last season. Papenburg noted that this program alleviated significant strain on pediatric healthcare resources, which often face overwhelming demand during RSV season.

Challenges and Disparities in Access

Despite the promising results, access to RSV shots remains inconsistent across Canada. While provinces like Ontario have fully funded the antibody shot for all infants, other regions, including British Columbia and Alberta, only provide coverage for higher-risk infants. The antibody shot, known as Beyfortus and developed by AstraZeneca, represents a crucial tool in preventing severe RSV cases, yet its availability is uneven.

In Ontario, nearly 70 percent of newborns received the antibody shot at birth. However, uptake varied significantly between hospitals, with rates ranging from 32 to 90 percent. The logistical challenges of administering the shot, particularly for infants born outside the RSV season, complicate efforts for broader coverage.

Dr. Jeffrey Pernica from McMaster University highlighted the importance of equitable access to these preventive measures. He pointed out that many families still face barriers, such as parents declining the shot. “We have access to two products that are very effective at preventing young infants from getting the most dangerous respiratory infection that they can get,” he said.

Economic and Health Implications

The financial burden of RSV infections on healthcare systems is substantial. A study from the University of British Columbia found that infants under six months accounted for over 40 percent of RSV-related hospital admissions, costing an estimated $66 million annually. Hospital stays for RSV can exceed $8,000, while intensive care can reach $80,000.

Preventing RSV infections through immunization is not only beneficial for infants’ health but also economically advantageous for healthcare systems. As noted by Dr. Nirma Khatri Vadlamudi, the long-term costs associated with treating severe RSV infections underscore the need for widespread vaccination programs.

Bellavance, reflecting on her daughter’s hospitalization, expressed the urgency for enhanced access to RSV vaccinations. “The impact that even a four- or five-day hospital stay with an infant can have on a family is so significant,” she said. Her hope is that more infants will have the option to receive the protective shots that could prevent such traumatic experiences in the future.

As Canada prepares for another RSV season, the focus remains on increasing access to these crucial preventive measures, ensuring that all infants can benefit from the advancements in RSV vaccination.