Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Overview
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that can cause serious illness in infants and young children. In response to the expanded RSV prevention program launched by the Ministry of Health in fall 2024, BORN Ontario began collecting data to monitor uptake and outcomes of RSV immunization across the province. This initiative supports real-time surveillance and quality improvement efforts in perinatal and newborn care.
Why This Matters
RSV is a leading cause of hospitalization in infants. The expanded prevention program aims to reduce severe RSV outcomes through universal access to Beyfortus® (nirsevimab) for infants and Abrysvo™ for pregnant individuals. High-quality data collection is essential to evaluate program effectiveness, identify gaps in coverage, and inform future public health strategies.
BORN's Role
BORN Ontario integrated new RSV-related data elements into the BORN Information System (BIS) starting October 31, 2024. These include:
- Administration and date of prenatal vaccine (Abrysvo™)
- Administration and date of infant monoclonal antibody (Beyfortus®)
- Reason for non-administration
- High-risk criteria
BORN also developed RSV-specific reports to help hospitals and midwifery practice groups monitor uptake and outcomes locally and provincially.
Impact and Benefits of RSV Prevention and Surveillance
For Patients
- Increased protection against severe RSV illness
- Reduced hospitalizations and PICU admissions
- Improved equity in access to care
For Providers
- Real-time data to support clinical decision-making
- Tools to monitor uptake and identify areas for improvement
- Enhanced communication with families about RSV protection
For Healthcare
- Reduced hospitalizations and PICU admissions
- Fewer medically-attended RSV episodes
- Efficient use of healthcare resources
Feature Story
Yemi’s story provides a glimpse into one family’s grim experience with RSV. The availability of new protective products and improved data collection/surveillance, however, represent marked progress toward the goal of ensuring all infants in Ontario receive the protection they need.
Stay Informed
Subscribe to BORN Ontario’s news feed for updates on RSV data.
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