The province is making vaccination against the top cause of infant hospitalization free of charge to all newborns in New Brunswick.
The New Brunswick government announced Thursday that all babies in the province are now eligible to receive immunization against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) at no charge.
In the wake of free coverage for vulnerable seniors announced in 2024 and 2025, the province is now offering the RSV vaccine for free for newborns. (Photo: Adobe Stock)
“RSV is the number one reason for hospitalization among infants in their first year of life,” Dr. Ariadna Grigoriu, medical director of the New Brunswick Perinatal Health Program, said in a government news release Thursday.
“Offering universal RSV vaccination to all infants is a significant step forward that will help reduce the burden of illness and hospitalization, while offering all New Brunswick families peace of mind during respiratory illness season.”
RSV was added to the province’s list of reportable diseases under the Public Health Act in early 2024.
“Timing matters when it comes to RSV immunization,” Dr. Yves Léger, chief medical officer of health, said in the release.
“Immunizing in October, just before RSV season begins, will help ensure babies have the strongest protection against RSV during the time of year when it is most common.”
The province says all babies can get a free RSV immunization during their first RSV season under the new program.
Babies born between April 1 and Oct. 12 can be immunized at regional public health clinics or through their primary care providers.
Those born between Oct. 13 and March 31, 2027, can either be immunized after birth but before discharge from hospital, or later through a regional public health office or their primary care providers.
“RSV can be serious for babies,” Health Minister Dr. John Dornan said in the release.
“Making this immunization available for all newborns will ease pressure on the health system, and, most importantly, help protect newborns against severe outcomes from this virus.”
RSV affects the lungs and can cause pneumonia or bronchiolitis, sometimes leading to emergency room visits or hospitalization, the release said, noting that it spreads mainly during the winter and is one of the leading causes of infant hospitalizations worldwide.
Premier Susan Holt touted the measure as an example of how her government is endeavouring to improve access to health care while also reducing the pressures on the system.
“By making RSV immunization free for every newborn, we’re making it easier for families to protect their babies from a serious illness, while also helping reduce hospitalizations and pressure on our emergency rooms and hospitals,” she said in the release.
The RSV adult vaccine has been available for free since 2024 for people aged 60 and older in long-term care, alternate-level-of-care patients and those 60 and older in rehabilitation units or acute care beds awaiting transfer to rehabilitation, the release said.
Furthermore, it said, eligibility for the adult vaccine free of charge was expanded in 2025 to those 75 and older and to indigenous adults 60 and older.
Infants considered to be high-risk were eligible to receive RSV monoclonal antibodies during the 2025-26 respiratory season.
More information about the infant-immunization program can be found here.
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