RSV & Breathing Problems: FAQs, Symptoms, Recommendations and Resources
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the most common virus affecting premature babies, and the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infection, which can lead to neonatal breathing problems. Sometimes, premature babies with a respiratory illness must be re-admitted to the hospital. The CPBF has resources to help parents learn about common causes of respiratory illness, including RSV.
Learn more about how to reduce the risk of common respiratory illnesses to your baby.
FAQ
Parent Letter
In collaboration with parents, we have created a letter to download, adapt and share with your family and friends. The letter is helpful in explaining to everyone why you are being extra careful when you bring your preemie home.
Podcasts
Tune into "With You in the NICU" podcasts to hear from experts, who will discuss many of the questions and concerns NICU parents often have.
Preemie Chats
Free online events covering a host of Preemie-focused topics
LIVE - RSV Explained - on January 17, 2025 at 1 pm EST
LIVE - Preemie Chats Special Edition - RSV
LIVE - RSV Explained
LIVE - Preemie Chats - Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Preemie Chats - How to protect your baby this winter
LIVE - Micro Preemies with Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)
RSV Burden on Preterm Babies: Prevention and New Approaches
Parent Handbook
CBPF Parent Handbook, "Common Respiratory Ilnesses: Reducing the Risk"
This parent handbook was carefully developed by healthcare experts in the field of neonatal care. The information about common respiratory illnesses (including RSV) is thoughtfully presented in consultation with parents of preemie babies. See a page here.
English
PDF format 978 KB (16 pages)
French
PDF format 957 KB (16 pages)
Infographic: Why Premature Babies are more at Risk
Premature babies are at higher risk of becoming very sick. Read why.
Respiratory viruses bring us familiar cold symptoms that last a few days to a week for most people, but these same viruses may cause more serious illness in babies. Premature babies are at higher risk of becoming very sick.
PDF format 422 KB (1 page)
NEW! RSV Prevention Protocols and Injection Criteria
RSV injections are not vaccines; they are antibodies which help protect high-risk babies from RSV. Eligibility criteria is based on recommendations by the Canadian Pediatric Society and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Canadian Immunization Guide. Each province and territory has its own eligibility criteria. Please see the individual links for more information.
Palivizumab and nirsevimab are the two antibody injections available in Canada that your baby may qualify for. These are not vaccines.
Palivizumab is a monthly injection during baby's first RSV season. This antibody protects for the full RSV season when given every month. Every Province and Territory has their own criteria. See below.
Nirsevimab is one injection at the start of baby's first RSV season. This antibody protects for the full RSV season. This is for all babies born in 2024 and is only available in Quebec and Ontario. In Ontario this includes all infants born during and outside of the RSV season and children under 2 years of age with high-risk medical conditions. Some babies born in 2023 may qualify. Please consult your healthcare provider.
More information can be found in our NEW! RSV Infographic.
Below is an overview of RSV-prevention injection eligibility criteria by Province or territory. For more detailed information please visit the links listed below or discuss with your health care provider.
Ages eligible for Coverage
Province
0-8 months
Ontario
Nunavut
Yukon
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island
0-6 months
0-8 months if high risk
If baby is less than 19 months old during their second RSV season.
Quebec
Those babies born 1 month before RSV season or during RSV season.
Saskatchewan
Those babies born in RSV season.
Manitoba
***Provinces that have additional criteria for babies who are high risk (based on prematurity or co-morbities) and who less than 6 months in remote communities or congregate living.
Ontario
Quebec
Nunavut
Yukon
Manitoba
Northwest Territories
Sakatchewan
Prince Edward Island
New Brunswick
Alberta
British Columbia
CPBF is very pleased to share that the following provinces will have universal RSV programs this Fall: Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan.
Details about these programs can be found below using the links provided for each Province or by asking your health care provider for additional information.
Alberta
www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/hp/rsv/if-hp-rsv-criteria.pdf
British Columbia
https://immunizebc.ca/vaccines/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Email to: Sophie.TraerMacKinnon@gnb.ca
Newfoundland and Labrador
https://publichealthlab.ca/reportingname/rsv-respiratory-syncytial-virus/
Northwest Territories
Communications Health and Social Services
P.O. Box 1320 Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9 Phone 867-767-9052, ext. 49034 hsscommunications@gov.nt.ca
Nova Scotia
https://www.nshealth.ca/public-health/immunizations/seasonal-vaccines
https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/09/10/province-expanding-access-rsv-protection-infants-older-nova-scotians
Nunavut
www.gov.nu.ca/sites/default/files/nunavut_synagis_protocol_season_2019_1.pdf
Ontario
www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/drugs/funded_drug/fund_respiratory.aspx
Prince Edward Island
www.iwk.nshealth.ca/palivizumab/provincial-guidelines/indications-for-use
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Yukon
Eligibility criteria is based on recommendations by the Canadian Pediatric Society and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Canadian Immunization Guide. Each province and territory has its own eligibility criteria which varies. Choose your province to read the guidelines. If you have further questions, speak to your baby's doctor.
RSV Survey Report
New! Ontario RSV Content For Indigenous Families
The Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC) and the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH) have launched a new Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Fact Sheet tailored for Indigenous parents, families and caregivers in Ontario. This resource offers culturally safe information on preventing RSV in infants and high-risk young children, especially as we anticipate an increase in RSV activity in the coming weeks and months.
The fact sheet is available in six languages, including four Indigenous languages, ensuring that it is accessible to a wide range of communities. This initiative reflects PCMCH’s commitment to addressing systemic barriers in the healthcare system faced by Indigenous Peoples, and it aims to empower families with the knowledge needed for informed decision-making about RSV immunization.
You can access the RSV Fact Sheet on the IPHCC website available in the following languages: