opinion: rsv is hospitalizing canadian infants—why aren't we doing more?
3 minute read
as rsv season nears, the path forward is clear: act now or repeat a cycle of preventable surges in infants being hospitalized and overwhelmed care systems.
supplied
stay up to date on this topic
as family physicians, we’ve seen firsthand the fear and helplessness that the respiratory syncytial virus (rsv) brings to families. it’s the leading cause of infant hospitalizations in canada, with 1 in 50 infants hospitalized during their first year of life. healthy-term babies account for the largest proportion of infants who get sick with severe rsv disease each year. the highest rate of infant hospitalization due to rsv occurs in the first three months of life.
despite its severity, rsv remains largely unknown to the public. until recently, the only preventive option—palivizumab—was limited to high-risk infants, leaving 98 per cent of babies unprotected in many provinces.
breakthrough rsv measures exist, but access depends on where you live
canada now has two newly approved and highly effective tools to prevent rsv in infants: a maternal vaccine known as rsvpref (abrysvo™) and a monoclonal antibody for infants called nirsevimab (beyfortus™). these innovations offer critical protection for infants from rsv starting at birth.
ontario leads the way with full public funding; however, most provinces fall short. for example, alberta and b.c. only offer coverage to high-risk infants, reinforcing a system where location, not health need, dictates protection.
what’s at stake if we don’t act now
at a time when canada’s healthcare system is already under pressure, rsv surges overwhelm paediatric hospitals and delay care. for families, the emotional toll of watching their newborn struggle to breathe is devastating, and difficult for us as healthcare professionals who relive the same preventable scenario each fall.
as rsv season nears, the path forward is clear: act now or repeat a cycle of preventable surges in infants being hospitalized and overwhelmed care systems.
advertisement
a national roadmap for change
canada has a proud history of leading in public health innovation, but we all know that leadership means action. that’s why the federation of medical women of canada (fmwc) recently convened a national task force of physicians, pharmacists, midwives, and public health experts to address the rsv prevention gap.
the 2025-2026 white paper outlines 13 actionable recommendations, including:
- raise further awareness: focused education for healthcare providers so every expectant parent understands how to protect their newborn from rsv.
- close access gap: policymakers must ensure public funding for rsv immunization—year-round for the maternal vaccine and seasonally for nirsevimab—is available to all families, no matter where they live.
- strengthen national guidance: coordinated national and provincial programs—including a national immunization registry—will ease hospital strain and protect infants across canada.
we also launched rsvprotect.ca, a national hub offering up-to-date information and practical tools for both healthcare providers and families. the site serves as a centralized resource to help canadians better understand rsv, prevention options, and how to navigate access—empowering providers to have informed conversations and ensuring families feel supported in protecting their newborns.
the path forward to protect every newborn
healthcare providers across canada, including the fmwc maternal rsv task force, are calling on governments to act swiftly. the tools and evidence exist; what’s missing is equitable access and national coordination.
every expectant parent should know how to protect their newborn, and every infant deserves equal access—regardless of where they live.
this is not just a public health issue. it’s a matter of equity, compassion, and common sense. we have the tools. let’s use them.
advertisement
dr. vivien brown and dr. shelley ross are family physicians and co-chairs of the federation of medical women of canada’s maternal rsv task force.
share story
