Saskatchewan’s Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunization program is expanding to include all newborns born between Oct. 1 and March 31, the provincial government announced, marking a significant broadening of protection for infants against severe respiratory infections.

Previously limited to high-risk newborns, the single-dose antibody injection will now be offered in hospitals to all babies during the peak RSV season. The treatment provides pre-made RSV antibodies, which experts say are highly effective at reducing hospitalizations.

“RSV is making more and more of a presence,” said Dr. David Torr, an infectious disease specialist. “For very young children, RSV illness is quite severe. It really gives them a very, very severe respiratory infection. So it’s really important to protect them.”

Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said the expanded program will help prevent serious outcomes for infants and reduce pressure on health care resources. “Broadening immunity for babies who are more susceptible will help prevent severe outcomes and added capacity pressures for our health care teams,” he said.

Dr. Torr emphasized the importance of timely protection. “Now that we have monoclonal antibodies, it’s a very good way of protecting newborn babies. Older children and adults can get RSV too, but it’s usually not as severe. Seniors also become more prone as they get older, and we’ve seen serious RSV outbreaks in long-term care facilities,” he said.

RSV spreads rapidly during colder months and can cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis, which are leading causes of hospital visits for infants worldwide. Premature babies and those with chronic heart or lung conditions are at the highest risk of severe infections.

Dr. Torr encouraged parents to take advantage of the new program. “With respiratory illness season posing heightened risks to our smallest and often most vulnerable patients, the availability of the RSV immunization for infants presents a safe and timely opportunity,” he said.

Saskatchewan is investing $3 million into the infant immunization program, including $1.8 million in additional funding for the upcoming season. Families are encouraged to discuss RSV immunization with their prenatal care teams or in-hospital health staff.

For more information, visit the Saskatchewan government website.