RSV Protection for Babies: 2026–2027
RSV season is here. RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is an extremely common respiratory virus, but it can cause serious illness in young babies. In fact, RSV has historically been one of the leading causes of hospitalization in infants.
Fortunately, we now have very effective ways to protect babies from severe RSV disease during their most vulnerable first months of life.
For most babies, protection comes in one of two ways: Mom receives the RSV vaccine during pregnancy, or baby receives a long-acting RSV antibody shot. Most babies do not need both.
Key Points
- Babies younger than 8 months who are entering or born during their first RSV season should generally have RSV protection.
- If Mom received the RSV vaccine during this pregnancy at least 14 days before delivery, most babies do not also need the RSV antibody shot.
- If Mom did not receive the RSV vaccine, her vaccination status is unknown, or the baby was born less than 14 days after she received it, the baby should usually receive an RSV antibody.
- The infant RSV antibody is not a vaccine. It gives the baby ready-made antibodies that help protect against severe RSV disease.
- Babies born during RSV season should receive protection as soon as possible, ideally during the birth hospitalization or within the first week of life.
- If you are not sure whether your baby needs RSV protection, contact us. We can help you figure it out.
Does my baby need the RSV antibody shot?
For most families, the question is fairly simple.
If your baby is younger than 8 months AND Mom did not receive the RSV vaccine during this pregnancy at least 14 days before the baby was born, your baby should usually receive an RSV antibody shot.
Your baby should also receive the infant RSV antibody if you are unsure whether Mom received the RSV vaccine during pregnancy.
Age is based on your baby’s age on the day the RSV antibody is given.
There are some uncommon exceptions, so talk with us if you aren’t sure.
What if Mom received the RSV vaccine during pregnancy?
The maternal RSV vaccine, Abrysvo, is another excellent way to protect a newborn against severe RSV disease.
It is recommended during 32 weeks through 36 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy, during the seasonal vaccination period. In most of the United States, the maternal RSV vaccine is given from September through January.
After Mom is vaccinated, her body makes antibodies against RSV and passes those antibodies to the baby through the placenta.
This protection takes time to develop and transfer to the baby. That is why there should generally be at least 14 days between Mom receiving the RSV vaccine and delivery.
If the baby is born less than 14 days after Mom receives the vaccine, the baby should usually receive an infant RSV antibody too.
The maternal vaccine also needs to have been given during this pregnancy. RSV vaccination during a previous pregnancy does not provide adequate protection for a baby born during a later pregnancy.
What is the RSV antibody shot?
The RSV antibody shot is different from a vaccine.
Vaccines teach your immune system to make its own antibodies. The infant RSV immunization instead gives your baby ready-made antibodies that can begin protecting against RSV. It is more like a preventive medication.
Two long-acting RSV antibody products are now available for infants: nirsevimab (Beyfortus) and clesrovimab (Enflonsia).
One dose provides protection through a typical RSV season.
These products do not prevent every RSV infection. The goal is much more important: they reduce the risk that RSV will cause serious lower respiratory tract disease, hospitalization, or death.
When should my baby receive it?
For most of the United States, RSV antibody is given during October through March.
If your baby is younger than 8 months, has not already received an RSV antibody, and is not protected by Mom’s RSV vaccination during pregnancy, your baby may be eligible.
This can include babies born late in the previous RSV season, such as some babies born in February or March, as long as they are still younger than 8 months on the day the RSV antibody is given.
Babies born during the fall and winter RSV season who need protection should receive an RSV antibody as soon as possible after birth, ideally during the birth hospitalization or within the first week of life.
Babies who are already several months old when RSV season begins should receive protection near the beginning of the season.
The important cutoff is your baby’s age on the day the RSV antibody is given — not simply the month your baby was born.
If your baby already received Beyfortus (nirsevimab) or Enflonsia (clesrovimab) earlier this year, a healthy baby does not routinely need another dose this fall.
If you are unsure whether your baby qualifies, contact us. We can review your baby’s age, previous RSV protection, and Mom’s vaccination history and help you decide.
What if my baby received an RSV antibody last spring?
If your baby already received nirsevimab or clesrovimab for their first RSV season, a healthy baby does not routinely receive another first-season dose just because a new RSV season has started.
There are separate recommendations for certain children at increased risk of severe RSV disease who are entering their second RSV season.
If your child is 8–19 months old and has significant chronic lung disease related to prematurity, severe immune compromise, certain forms of cystic fibrosis, or another condition that may increase RSV risk, talk with us about whether additional RSV protection is recommended.
Can the RSV antibody be given with my baby’s regular vaccines?
Yes.
The RSV antibody can be given at the same visit as your baby’s routine childhood vaccines. No waiting period is required between the RSV antibody and routine vaccines.
Is it safe?
The RSV antibodies have been studied carefully and are now being used widely to protect infants during RSV season.
Most side effects are mild, such as temporary soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site. Serious allergic reactions are uncommon.
These antibodies have also been very effective at reducing severe RSV disease and RSV-associated hospitalization in infants.
Why is protecting young babies so important?
Almost every child will eventually get RSV.
For older children, RSV often looks like a bad cold. But young infants have much smaller airways and are more vulnerable to complications such as bronchiolitis, difficulty breathing, dehydration, and the need for hospitalization.
The youngest babies are at particularly high risk.
That is why our goal is not necessarily to keep a baby from ever catching RSV. Our goal is to protect babies during the period of life when RSV is most likely to make them seriously ill.
Not sure if your baby needs it?
That’s okay. You don’t need to figure out all of these recommendations yourself.
If your baby is younger than 8 months, contact Covenant Care Pediatrics and let us know:
Did Mom receive the RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) during this pregnancy? If so, when was it given?
We can review your baby’s age, birth date, maternal vaccination history, and any previous RSV antibody doses and help determine whether your baby needs RSV protection for the 2026–2027 season.
RSV season is already beginning. If your baby is eligible, now is a great time to get protected.