By: Mary Caserta, MD, FAAP
Nearly all children get infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) at least once by the time they are 2 years old. The virus can be dangerous for infants and some young children. In fact, RSV is the
most common cause of hospitalization in infants under 1 year of age. The infection can spread to the lungs and cause serious breathing problems.
RSV infections are most common in the late fall through early spring months. The timing can vary in some parts of the country. If your baby will be born during
RSV season, new immunizations are available to protect against severe RSV infection.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
recommend all babies be protected from severe RSV by one of two options. Here's what to know.
Which RSV immunization to get
There are two new RSV immunizations available. Babies are protected by either their mother being vaccinated during pregnancy or a shot at birth or during RSV season. Either choice is very effective at preventing babies from being hospitalized.
In most parts of the U.S., RSV season lasts from October through March and peaks in December or January. If you live in Alaska, Florida or outside the continental U.S., talk to your health care provider about when RSV immunization is recommended where you live.
For infants and young children
Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) immunization is for infants under 8 months of age during RSV season. It is also for some children age 8 through 19 months who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease and entering their second RSV season. The immunization is given during RSV season, which is generally October through March.
The antibodies in the RSV immunization work right away to protect babies against RSV. The protection lasts for at least 5 months.
For pregnant people
If you are
pregnant and your baby will be born during RSV season, you can get an
RSV vaccine (Abrysvo). The vaccine during pregnancy is given at 32 through 36 weeks of pregnancy during the months of September through January.
When you get the RSV vaccine during
pregnancy, you pass the antibodies to your baby. So, your little one is protected after they are born. The antibodies protect the baby for about 6 months after they are born.
If you received the
RSV shot during your pregnancy, your baby will have protection that lasts through that RSV season. It takes about 14 days for the immune protection from the vaccine to pass through the placenta to your baby. If your baby was born less than 14 days after you received the RSV vaccine, they will need to get nirsevimab (Beyfortus) for protection against RSV.
The RSV vaccine for pregnant people is given just once. If you received the RSV vaccine during any pregnancy, you should not get another dose if you are pregnant again. Babies born from later pregnancies should receive the immunization for babies (nirsevimab; Beyfortus).
Remember
Getting recommended immunizations helps protect you and your baby from serious diseases. RSV spreads easily--through direct contact or by touching a surface that has the virus on it and touching your face, for example, or through droplets from a cough or sneeze that get into your eyes, nose or mouth. Other ways to avoid infections include
washing your hands and staying away from crowded indoor spaces.
Don't hesitate to talk with your baby's pediatrician about keeping your baby healthy while RSV and other respiratory viruses are spreading.
More information
About Dr. Caserta
 Mary T. Caserta, MD, FAAP, is a Professor of Pediatrics in Infectious Diseases at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) in New York. Her early research focused on human herpesvirus research. Recently, her research has focused on viral respiratory disease. For over 10 years, she also has conducted clinical trials, including vaccine and treatment trials. Dr. Caserta is a fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and member of the Pediatric ID Society. Dr. Caserta is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases.
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