Public Service Announcement: Protect Your Family from RSV – Including Infants and Older Adults

For Infants: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a serious concern for young children. This highly contagious virus can cause severe respiratory infections, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, particularly in infants. While many babies may experience mild cold-like symptoms, it’s impossible to predict which infants will develop life-threatening complications. Each year, RSV leads to significant hospitalization rates among infants, placing a heavy burden on families and caregivers. To help protect your child, consider the RSV antibody shot, practice infection control, and educate caregivers on RSV prevention.

For Older Adults: RSV doesn’t just pose a risk to infants. Older adults, especially those 65 and over, are also highly susceptible to severe RSV infections. As we age, our immune system’s ability to respond to viral infections weakens, increasing the risk for serious complications. According to the CDC, approximately 177,000 adults aged 65 and older are hospitalized each year due to RSV. To protect older adults, consider the RSV vaccine, practice infection control, and educate yourself on RSV prevention.

Be Informed: There are different options for RSV protection based on individual situations. Pregnant women are eligible for a Pfizer vaccine called ABRYSVO from weeks 32-36 of pregnancy during September through January. Receiving this vaccine during pregnancy passes protection to the baby in the first six months of life. This has been found to have 70-85% efficacy in preventing hospitalization for babies.

Infants are eligible to receive the RSV antibody shot. This is not a vaccine - it doesn’t teach the body to make antibodies - but rather a preventative medication. All infants less than eight months old and high-risk infants from 8-19 months old are eligible for the RSV antibody shot. Receiving this treatment has been proven to reduce the risk of hospitalization by 80-96%, and protection lasts 4-6 months.

Take Action: RSV season typically runs from fall through spring, with earlier peaks in some regions like Florida and Hawaii. Vaccination or the RSV antibody shot are key preventive measures for both infants and older adults. Protect your loved ones—whether young or old—by staying informed and taking proactive steps against RSV. Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or pediatrician to discuss receiving the RSV vaccine or RSV antibody shot.

By working together, we can reduce the impact of this dangerous virus on all generations.

###

About Mary Washington Healthcare:

Mary Washington Healthcare is a fully integrated, regional healthcare system that provides inpatient and outpatient care at over 80 facilities including Mary Washington Hospital, a 471-bed tertiary hospital, Stafford Hospital, a 100-bed community hospital, four emergency departments, and a multi-specialty graduate medical education program. Mary Washington Healthcare is a non-profit health system with a longstanding commitment to provide care regardless of ability to pay. For more information about our services and facilities, visit mwhc.com.