Alberta expands free RSV vaccine for all newborns born in hospital this fall

Alberta is now providing free RSV immunizations to all babies born in hospital during the fall respiratory virus season, expanding a program that had previously been limited to infants identified as high-risk.

The Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services announced the policy change Monday to better align with national recommendations. A University of Calgary-led study released the same day showed the RSV vaccine, a monoclonal antibody injection called nirsevimab, reduced ICU admissions by 97 per cent among infants in seven pediatric hospitals across Ontario and Quebec during the 2024-2025 season.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization called on all provinces to adopt universal seasonal RSV vaccinations for infants in April. Alberta's move means nine of Canada's 10 provinces now offer the shot for free.

Last season, Alberta's respiratory virus dashboard recorded 549 babies hospitalized with RSV, 66 admitted to ICU, with no deaths reported. RSV hospitalization rates for children are twice as high as influenza during flu season, and there are no effective treatments — care is entirely supportive.

"The goal is to offer protection shortly after birth, before significant community exposure to RSV, helping reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization during the first months of life," the Ministry said.

Dr. Stephen Freedman, the study's senior author, called the findings "a dramatic showing a highly, highly, highly effective medication that is very safe." He noted RSV represents "one of the biggest burdens" on the health-care system during respiratory virus season, especially from December through March. The vaccine requires only a single administration.