Families are urged to talk with pediatricians about FDA-approved immunizations that can help keep babies safe during their most vulnerable months
I’ve spent a large part of my professional life working to improve the health of our Louisiana children. As the Executive Director for the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families, I helped families access essential healthcare resources to support their families in making personal medical choices. My work included connecting them with trusted medical providers so that they can have open conversations with doctors about the best ways to protect their kids from serious illnesses.
For young children, what starts as a mild illness can rapidly become serious. That’s especially true for infants, whose immune systems are still developing and less able to fight off disease. It’s why medical professionals strongly encourage families to ensure their babies are properly immunized ahead of the respiratory illness season.
Among the most dangerous respiratory illnesses that many doctors urge immunization against is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It is an extremely contagious and high-risk disease that inflames a baby’s lungs, making it very hard for them to breathe. This virus can not only lead babies to get hospitalized but can also cause long term respiratory issues like recurrent wheezing and childhood asthma.
Louisiana is now among the states with the highest acute respiratory infection activity. This statistic includes elevated levels of RSV infection, with the Louisiana Department of Health reporting more than 1,000 RSV-related emergency department visits in the past month. As a result, we should all be worried about the risk of infection among infants and babies, especially as we approach the peak RSV months.
Fortunately, families have a way to protect their young children from RSV with the availability of FDA-approved RSV immunizations. Clinical research has found that they greatly lower the risk of respiratory tract infections, directly contributing to fewer infant hospitalizations. Even more reassuring, these treatments provide immediate protection upon immunization, helping provide vital early coverage for babies when they are most vulnerable.
To keep infants safe, families should talk to their pediatricians and be aware of the recommended timing for RSV protection. The RSV season lasts for around six months, from October to March. Babies born during that timeframe should receive their immunization by the time they’re a week old, at the latest. Babies born before October should be immunized two weeks before the RSV season begins. Both healthcare experts and the recent guidance published by the Department of Health and Human Services agree that these recommendations will best protect kids during the RSV season.
I’ve never met a family that didn’t want to keep their children safe. To help shield babies and infants from the worst effects of RSV, parents should ensure their children receive FDA-approved immunizations.
