DISCLAIMER: This material is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor does it replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. Reference to a specific commercial product, service, or external web site does not imply endorsement or recommendation of that product, service, or external web site content by CPCMG. We attempt to keep lists of resources and referrals as up to date as possible; however, this information is constantly changing. Please check with the service provider and your insurance company to verify coverage.
Video from the American Academy of Pediatrics
What is RSV?
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a highly contagious virus that can lead to respiratory infection in babies. RSV is most common and spreads most often during the winter virus season (fall through spring) but can vary by local area.
Most of the time RSV will cause a mild, cold-like illness.
Symptoms of RSV can include congestion, runny nose, irritability, decreased appetite and fever.
RSV is unpredictable; it’s hard to know if a baby will have a mild or serious infection—even if they’re born healthy and at full term.
2-3% of infants with RSV will require hospitalization.
Babies are 16x more likely to be hospitalized with RSV than with the flu.
Learn more about RSV here.
How Can We Prevent Severe RSV Disease?
There are 2 ways to reduce the risk of severe RSV disease.
One option is an RSV vaccine for the birth parent, which is given at 32 weeks to 36 weeks of pregnancy. The infant is protected if they are born at least 2 weeks after the birth parent received the RSV vaccine.
Another option is an RSV antibody injection for the baby. If the birth parent did not receive the RSV vaccine during pregnancy, or if the baby is born less than 2 weeks after the birth parent received the RSV vaccine, then the baby should receive an RSV antibody injection.
The RSV antibody injection is recommended for:
Newborns and babies under 8 months old, born during or entering their first RSV season, whose birth parent did not receive the RSV vaccine at least 2 weeks prior to delivery.
There are special circumstances in which an infant should receive an RSV antibody injection, even after the birth parent received the RSV vaccine at least 2 weeks prior to delivery. Please speak with your healthcare provider for more information. The AAP recommendations can be found here. These situations include, but are not limited to:
Infants whose birthing parent may not have mounted an adequate immune response to RSV vaccination (eg, pregnant people with immunocompromising conditions)
Infants whose birthing parent has a medical condition associated with reduced transplacental antibody transfer (eg, pregnant people living with HIV infection)
Infants who have undergone antibody-depleting treatments or procedures such as plasmapheresis, cardiopulmonary bypass (see FDA package inserts at www.fda.gov/drugsatfda), or ECMO or exchange transfusion, leading to loss of maternal antibodies
Infants with substantial increased risk for severe RSV disease (eg, hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease, intensive care admission with a requirement of oxygen at discharge)
The RSV antibody injection is also recommended for certain high-risk children age 8-19 months entering their second RSV season, including:
Children born preterm, at <32 weeks, 0 days’ gestation, regardless of the need for medication or other support
Children with chronic lung disease attributable to prematurity or to other significant neonatal conditions (eg, meconium aspiration or congenital diaphragmatic hernia) who required medical support (ie, chronic corticosteroid therapy, diuretic therapy, or supplemental oxygen) at any time during the 6-month period before the start of the second RSV season
Children with hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease (ie, a defect that can result in symptoms and/ or cardiac chamber dilation)
Children with anatomic pulmonary abnormalities or neuromuscular disorders that put them at risk for severe RSV disease
Children with severe immunocompromise
Children with Down syndrome or other chromosomal differences placing them at higher risk of severe RSV disease
Children with cystic fibrosis who have either manifestations of severe lung disease (previous hospitalization for pulmonary exacerbation in the first year after birth or abnormalities on chest imaging that persist when stable) or weight-for-length that is less than the 10th percentile
American Indian or Alaska Native children. American Indian or Alaska Native children are included in the high risk category because they experience significantly higher rates of severe RSV disease and hospitalization associated with social drivers of health, with children living in rural and reservation communities most impacted.
The AAP guidance on RSV prevention in the second RSV season can be found here.
How does the RSV antibody injection work?
This injection is not a vaccine. It’s a preventative antibody that gives an extra layer of protection against serious RSV infection. The injection gives your baby about 5 months of protection against serious RSV illness.
When can my baby get the RSV antibody injection?
The injection should be given before the start of your baby’s first RSV season. The typical RSV season usually occurs from fall through spring. Your baby’s healthcare provider can tell you when the RSV season starts in your area.
If a baby (under 8 months old) is born during RSV season (around October to March), the injection should be given as close to birth as possible. If not given in the hospital, they should receive it as soon as it is available at their doctor’s office.
If a baby (under 8 months old) is born in the spring or summer, your baby can get the injection at a regular checkup shortly before RSV season. They can get their injection at the same time as other routine childhood vaccines.
Some children, ages 8 to 19 months, remain at higher risk for severe RSV illness in their second RSV season. For these children, the RSV antibody injection may be recommended again before their next RSV season. Your child’s doctor will let you know if another dose is needed.
What is RSV Season?
RSV season is the time of year when RSV infection is the most common, usually from fall through spring (around October to March)
First RSV Season: the first fall/winter period after your baby is born
Second RSV Season: The following fall/winter period when your child is around 8-19 months old. Only certain high-risk children will need protection during their second RSV season.
How is the RSV antibody injection given?
This is given as an injection, usually in the thigh (leg) muscle.
Talk with your health care provider.
Tell your health care provider if the person getting the RSV antibody injection has a:
History of serious allergic reactions to an RSV preventive antibody (Beyfortus/Nirsevimab) or any of its components
Bleeding disorder
Moderate or severe acute illness
If mother received an RSV Vaccine during pregnancy
In some cases, your child’s health care provider may decide to postpone giving RSV preventive antibodies until a future visit. Depending upon your insurance, there may be instances where an authorization will be needed from your health plan in order to receive the RSV antibody injection.
How can I learn more?
Ask your health care provider.
Visit the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Web Site: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/RSV-When-Its-More-Than-Just-a-Cold.aspx
Reviewed by: AR D.O., SL M.D., JW MD, VD RN BSN | 08/2026