The CDC recommends using one of two tools to protect your baby from getting seriously ill from RSV:
Most infants do not need both.
RSV vaccine for pregnant women
The RSV vaccine is Recommendation In most parts of the continental United States, from September through January, those who are between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant are eligible. In some areas where RSV seasons are slightly different, the recommended months for Rvirus vaccine may be adjusted.
Baby RSV vaccination
RSV antibodies help protect infants and young children from serious illness caused by RSV infection. These provide an additional layer of defense to help fight RSV infection and protect children from serious illness. The protection provided by these antibodies weakens over time. Preventive antibodies are not a treatment for a child who already has her RSV infection.
RSV antibody immunization is recommended for all infants less than 8 months of age born or beginning during the first RSV season. Most infants whose mother received her RSV vaccine do not need to also develop RSV antibodies.
In addition, RSV antibodies are also recommended for children 8 to 19 months of age entering their second RSV season who fall into at least one of the following groups:
- Children born prematurely with chronic lung disease who require drug therapy for their lung disease.
- Children with severe immunodeficiency
- Children with severe cystic fibrosis
- American Indian and Alaska Native children
