The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends a universal respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, vaccination program for all infants.
It says provinces and territories should work to provide the antibody drug Nirsevimab to all infants before their first RSV season.
But it says they could start by prioritizing the most at-risk infants if cost or access to the antibody poses a barrier to immediately implementing a universal program.
Babies most at risk of becoming seriously ill from RSV include those born prematurely, those with certain medical conditions, and infants living in high-risk environments.
The committee says Nirsevimab should also be prioritized for infants living in remote areas where transportation to treatment would be difficult if they contracted severe RSV, including in some First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.
Health Canada authorized Nirsevimab – also known by its brand name Beyfortus – in April 2023.
The national committee also said pregnant people and their health care providers might consider a vaccine called RSVpreF, or Abrysvo, which is given during the third trimester to protect the infant against RSV.
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