Home / Health / New RSV Shots Erase Infant Hospitalizations
New RSV Shots Erase Infant Hospitalizations
3 Dec
Summary
- Antibody shots cut infant RSV hospitalizations by over 80% globally.
- Quebec saw over 50% fewer RSV hospitalizations with its infant program.
- Cost to prevent RSV is far less than average hospitalization costs.
Recent breakthroughs in medical science have dramatically reduced severe RSV infections in newborns. Powerful antibody shots are now cutting infant RSV hospitalizations by over 80% globally, marking a significant leap in respiratory virus prevention.
Real-world data from countries like Spain and Chile demonstrate substantial decreases in pediatric intensive care admissions. In Canada, Quebec's universal infant antibody shot program prevented over half of its usual RSV-related hospitalizations last season, easing pressure on the healthcare system.
However, Canada faces challenges in ensuring widespread access to these life-saving treatments. Provincial approaches to offering the antibody shots vary, leaving some infants, particularly those deemed lower-risk, without coverage and necessitating a focus on improving uptake and equitable distribution.
