10/23/2025
Did you know RSV is the #1 reason babies are admitted to the hospital their first year of life?
Those of us in pediatrics HATE RSV season because it can be such a terrible illness for babies. RSV in older kids and adults tends to manifest as a head cold, but in the infant population, it "likes" to drop to the lower airways and wreak havoc. It causes an illness known as bronchiolitis and symptoms may include: wheezing, poor feeding, labored breathing, fever, and a terrible cough. At its core, this is a VIRUS, so there's little we can do to treat it once a person picks it up. Infants may wheeze for days, weeks or even the entirety of the season when they pick up RSV.
🤩Enter Beyfortus!!🤩
We now have something to offer our infants their very first RSV season!! There is now an immunization which offers a type of immunity known as PASSIVE immunity to these kids. The goal is to pass off protective antibodies to infants which will cover them during their FIRST RSV season. (Think of it like a dose of breastmilk and the antibodies baby get through nursing. It won't confer lifetime immunity, but it will protect them through the season.)
This is amazing, folks. We wish we could immunize the entire community to protect our infants and elderly, but unfortunately, that's not how it goes🫤. Here's the criteria to receive the immunization:
-Infants aged birth thru 8mos of age entering their FIRST RSV season
-Children aged 8mos-19mos entering their SECOND RSV season and at increased risk of severe disease (patients with chronic lung disease, severe immunocompromise, etc)
We will be giving this shot out from October - March. It CAN be given with all other childhood vaccines, or we can arrange for a shot only visit to get it done.
As always, our Docs are always happy to talk with you about any questions you may have! This is a recommended immunization, but it is not required. Please talk with your doctor if you have any questions!
