Every parent wants their baby to start life safe, healthy, and protected. But one of the greatest threats to that hope is something many people don’t think about until it’s too late: Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV.
RSV is a common respiratory infection that can cause cold-like symptoms in adults and older children, but in newborns, it can quickly become serious. Each year, RSV leads to thousands of hospitalizations among infants, making it the leading cause of hospitalization for babies under one year old. The good news is that we now have a way to prevent most of these hospitalizations. However, the challenge lies in making sure every baby actually receives protection before they leave the hospital.
What Is RSV and Why It’s So Dangerous for Newborns
RSV spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, or touching contaminated surfaces. For newborns, whose lungs and immune systems are still developing, even a mild case can become severe within hours. Symptoms such as rapid breathing, wheezing, or difficulty feeding can escalate quickly, sometimes requiring emergency care or hospitalization. Most RSV infections occur between October and March, when the virus circulates most heavily. That means babies born during these months are at especially high risk.
The Breakthrough in Prevention
Until recently, there wasn’t much that parents or doctors could do to prevent RSV in newborns. That changed with two medical advances introduced in the last two years:
- Maternal vaccination – Given during the last few weeks of pregnancy, this vaccine helps mothers pass protective antibodies to their babies before birth.
- Infant immunization – A single dose of monoclonal antibody (nirsevimab, also known as Beyfortus®) can be given directly to babies, providing protection through their first RSV season.
Clinical trials have shown that these interventions can reduce the risk of RSV-related hospitalization by up to 90%. That means far fewer infants struggling to breathe, fewer nights in the ICU, and fewer parents watching their newborns fight for air.
Why Access Matters
RSV immunization is time-sensitive. The optimal window for protection is right around birth or, for pregnant women, during the final weeks of pregnancy. If a baby leaves the hospital without receiving it, opportunities for protection can easily be missed. That’s why it’s essential for hospitals, pediatricians, and families to work together to make sure RSV protection is part of every newborn’s discharge plan. Access isn’t just about availability, it’s about coordination and awareness. Parents need clear information, providers need reliable supply, and hospitals need streamlined processes to administer the shot before families go home. When any link in that chain breaks, a baby leaves the hospital vulnerable to a preventable illness and when access falls short, the impact is immediate.
RSV can progress rapidly, often within a day or two of mild cold symptoms. For young infants, it can cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia, both of which may require hospitalization or oxygen support. Even short hospital stays can disrupt bonding, breastfeeding, and early development — not to mention the emotional and financial toll on families. Preventing that outcome is not only medically sound but also deeply humane. Every missed opportunity for immunization increases the risk of hospitalization, especially during peak season. That’s why access to RSV protection is essential.
A Call to Action
As RSV season approaches, the message is simple: every newborn should have access to protection before leaving the hospital. Hospitals should include RSV immunization in their standard newborn protocols during RSV season. Healthcare providers should talk to expecting parents early (ideally during prenatal visits) about both maternal vaccination and infant protection. Parents should ask their care team directly: “Will my baby receive RSV protection before we go home?”
By making RSV immunization a standard part of newborn care, just like screenings and the first round of vaccines, we can dramatically reduce infant hospitalizations across the country and make sure that every child leaves protected.
Take Action: Join our campaign to ensure newborns receive RSV protection at birth.
