Alberta is set to provide a complimentary preventative RSV shot to specific high-risk newborns this autumn. However, the province is not extending universal coverage to all infants, a move some other regions in Canada have chosen to implement.
The newly approved antibody injection, nirsevimab, marketed as Beyfortus, by Health Canada in 2023, is being administered to all newborns in various provinces. This single-dose shot contains artificial proteins mirroring those produced by the body’s immune system.
Commencing in November, the nirsevimab injection will replace the monthly Palivizumab (Synagis) shot previously given to high-risk infants. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommended in 2024 that provinces work towards establishing a universal RSV immunization program for all infants, with nirsevimab as the preferred choice. It suggested a phased introduction of programs based on factors like supply, cost-effectiveness, and affordability.
While Ontario and Quebec started offering the antibody shot to all newborns last year, other provinces such as Saskatchewan, Manitoba, P.E.I., and Nova Scotia have announced broader coverage plans for the upcoming respiratory virus season. Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon also provide coverage.
In contrast, Alberta has opted for a targeted approach in providing nirsevimab. At Alberta Children’s Hospital, Dr. Sidd Thakore, a pediatrician, anticipates a busy RSV season as patients begin to present with the illness. Although pleased with the government’s decision to offer nirsevimab to high-risk babies, Thakore advocates for universal coverage to mitigate the severity of RSV cases among vulnerable children.
Dr. Amber Reichert, a neonatologist in Edmonton, echoes concerns about the limited coverage, emphasizing that vulnerable babies may remain unprotected. RSV, a common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants, can lead to severe illness and hospitalizations, as evidenced by over 800 Alberta babies hospitalized during the previous respiratory virus season.
The Alberta government stated that while RSV poses serious risks to specific high-risk groups, severe outcomes at the general population level are fewer. The government continues to monitor RSV trends and assess the need for broader immunization programs.
According to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, RSV leads to significantly more hospitalizations among young children compared to influenza. Nirsevimab has demonstrated an 81 to 83 percent reduction in RSV-related hospital admissions, as per the Canadian Immunization Guide.
Efforts are underway to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and feasibility of expanding coverage for the 2026-27 respiratory virus season. Healthcare professionals express concerns about hospital capacity during the upcoming respiratory virus season, advocating for universal nirsevimab coverage to alleviate potential strains on healthcare facilities.
