What you need to know about RSV vaccines for babies

RSV vaccines are free for infants under 8 months old across Ontario. (file)

RSV vaccines are free for infants under 8 months old across Ontario, and the Medical Officer of Health of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit urges parents in Ottawa to get their young ones vaccinated against the virus.

The province introduced the RSV vaccine last year, and Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, a.k.a Dr. Paul, says the program has already made a dent in RSV-related hospitalizations among infants.

“So, we started it last year and we vaccinated about 75 per cent of all babies, and we saw a tremendous decrease in RSV in babies. And not only us, but in Quebec as well,” Dr. Paul told CTV Your Morning Ottawa on Wednesday.

Quebec also introduced a free RSV vaccination program last year.

“It’s something that’s been challenging us for many, many years and this is great news and I’m glad that Ontario is covering it for free,” he said.

While the virus typically presents as a common cold in most adults, in the elderly it can cause more serious disease and in babies, Dr. Paul says it can result in hospitalizations.

“In kids less than a year of age, it causes what’s called bronchiolitis –– it’s the leading cause of admission to hospital in young babies,” Dr. Paul said.

Dr. Paul says in infants, RSV will often present similarly to an asthma attack.

“In young babies really it is difficulty breathing, they’re tugging, their lips may turn blue, they won’t feed,” Dr. Paul said, adding that babies will also wheeze when they breathe.

Dr. Paul says there’s no treatment for RSV and the illness can have long-term consequences beyond hospitalization, including higher rates of asthma later in life. But now, the vaccine adds a much-needed form of protection for babies.

“It’s called nirsevimab, it’s just an injection of antibodies, and it protects the baby for at least six to eight months and that’s where they’re most prone,” Dr. Paul said.

According to Dr. Paul, the vaccine can be administered at the time of birth, or in the first couple months of the baby’s life. There is also another version of the vaccine that mothers take during pregnancy, which Dr. Paul says is less effective but provides another option for parents.

“If you’re expecting a baby, or had a baby, talk to your doctor, in your hospital they will offer you that shot for the baby, and it will protect the baby,” he said.

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