Communicating With Families About How to Protect Against Fall and Winter Respiratory Viruses

Now is the optimal time to immunize patients against the fall/winter respiratory viruses. Access tips and scripts for speaking with families about immunizations that protect against COVID-19, flu and RSV.

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RSV Overview 

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes acute respiratory tract infections in people of all ages and can cause severe illness in infants and children with certain health conditions. Approximately 58,000-80,000 children under the age of 5 and up to 3% of children in their first year of life are hospitalized due to RSV infection each year in the US. Most children will get an RSV infection before the age of 2 years, and approximately 20-30% of children infected will develop a lower respiratory tract infection, such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia. Reinfection is common and is usually less severe than the primary infection.  

In the US, RSV typically circulates from the fall, peaks in December or January and continues through the spring. It is transmitted by direct or close contact with those infected or from touching contaminated surfaces.  

AAP Recommendations

Red Book: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Chapter 

Red Book Online:  AAP Recommendations for the Prevention of RSV Disease in Infants and Children  

 

RSV Prevention Products  

The following are products to prevent severe RSV infection in children. 

Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) 

A monoclonal antibody product included in the Vaccines for Children Program and offering long-lasting protection and was recently recommended for all infants in the 2023-2024 RSV season.    

Nirsevimab Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to your questions about nirsevimab.

Ordering & Product Information

Considerations for calcuating and financing your orders, product cost, formulation and storage requirements.

Implementation Resources

View these tools to assess readiness and guide implementation of nirsevimab administration in inpatient and outpatient settings.

Administration, Dosing and Schedule

Find the latest recommendations for nirsevimab, dosing guidance and how it is administered.

Nirsevimab Administration Visual Guide

An algorithm to guide practices and facilities who are administering nirsevimab.

Payment and Coding

Learn more about what codes to use to get paid for administering nirsevimab in your practice.

Palivizumab (Synagis) 

A short-acting monoclonal antibody product, available since 1998 and recommended for high-risk infants and young children.  

Palivizumab Policy

Updated Guidance for Palivizumab Prophylaxis Among Infants and Young Children at Increased Risk of Hospitalization for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Palivizumab Technical Report

Palivizumab Prophylaxis in Infants and Young Children at Increased Risk of Hospitalization for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Professional Education Resources

Pediatrics in Review: “Implications of Food and Drug Administration Approval of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prophylactic Medication"

Learn the latest findings for preventing RSV illness and vaccine considerations for your patients to tackle this major public health priority. 

Fall Respiratory Season Webinar Series

Access the AAP Fall Respiratory Season Webinar Series recordings to learn clinical updates to practical tips/tricks for implementation of immunizations to prevent RSV, flu and COVID-19.

Educating Families about RSV and Nirsevimab

The AAP offers resources to help families better understand the risks for severe RSV disease and the benefits of prevention.  

Podcasts and Voices Blogs

Learn what others are saying. Listen to our podcasts and read our blog posts.

Immunizations Special: RSV, COVID, Pneumococcal Disease, Influenza – Episode 170

In this episode Sean O’Leary, MD, MPH, FAAP, chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, joins hosts David Hill, MD, FAAP, and Joanna Parga-Belinkie, MD, FAAP, for an “immunizations omnibus.” He describes newly approved products to protect against RSV, COVID and pneumococcal disease, and he predicts a difficult flu season.  

Pediatrics on Call

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August 29, 2023