Local Health Experts Call for Urgent Action as BC and Alberta Lag Behind Rest of Canada on Universal Infant RSV Protection

New position statement urges provinces to end “postal code lottery” and protect all infants from RSV now

OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, in a new position statement, the British Columbia and Alberta Infant RSV Protection Advocacy Group convened by the Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC) is calling on both provincial governments to adopt National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) guidelines and implement universal infant RSV immunization programs to protect all infants ahead of the next respiratory virus season.

While most provinces and territories across Canada have adopted universal infant RSV immunization, British Columbia and Alberta remain among the only jurisdictions that restrict access to high-risk groups. The new FMWC position statement outlines evidence-based recommendations to help these provinces align with national guidance and expand access to protection for all infants.

A high-risk-only model fails to protect most infants

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the leading cause of infant hospitalizations in Canada, with approximately one in 50 infants hospitalized each year,¹ most of whom have no pre-existing risk factors.^2,3 In Alberta alone, RSV has driven more than 500 infant hospitalizations and over 60 intensive care admissions this season,⁴ while in British Columbia, hospitalizations have doubled compared to pre-pandemic levels.⁵ With no cure available, only supportive care, prevention remains critical to protecting infant health and reducing strain on the healthcare system. RSV poses a serious and preventable threat to infants, often leading to respiratory distress, emergency department visits, intensive care admissions, and long-term complications such as childhood asthma. In severe cases, it can result in infant death.

“The data is clear, and the national guidance from NACI is unmistakable: it is time for British Columbia and Alberta to step up and implement universal RSV protection for all infants,” said Dr. Shelley Ross, Family Physician and Co-Chair of the FMWC BC & Alberta Infant RSV Protection Advocacy Group. “Limiting preventative measures to narrow 'high-risk' categories leaves the vast majority of our babies vulnerable to a severe, preventable illness. Every infant in Western Canada deserves equal access to this life-saving immunization, regardless of their postal code.”

Real-world evidence from Ontario and Quebec

Data from Ontario and Quebec demonstrates the clear public health benefit of universal RSV immunization. During its inaugural universal season, Ontario achieved strong uptake and program success, protecting 73 percent of infants, with 69 percent of newborns immunized prior to hospital discharge.⁶

Similarly, Quebec’s program achieved a two-thirds reduction in infant RSV hospitalizations, proving over 85 percent effective against emergency department and ICU admissions.⁷ The evidence across Canada and globally is clear: jurisdictions that commit to universal programs see a dramatic and immediate reduction in severe RSV burden. By remaining in a high-risk-only model, BC and Alberta are choosing to accept higher rates of infant hospitalization and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admission.

System strain, inequitable access and the hidden toll on families

Without universal programs, winter surges will continue to overwhelm emergency rooms and pediatric wards, compromising care for all patients. This strain is worst in rural and remote communities, where specialized pediatric care is scarce and critically ill babies often require emergency air evacuations.

At the same time, provincial decisions focus too narrowly on short-term hospital costs while ignoring the broader impact on society. A complete evaluation must account for the true toll on families, including lost wages, travel expenses, and the emotional strain on parents and siblings. Current financial models also overlook long-term health consequences like childhood asthma and chronic respiratory issues. Basing policies on incomplete data hides the real economic value of a universal program and delays essential protection for infants.

A clear call to action

The BC and Alberta Infant RSV Protection Advocacy Group is calling on both provincial governments to act now by implementing universal infant RSV immunization programs in line with national guidance, ensuring all infants, regardless of where they live, have access to life-saving protection before the next RSV season.

About the BC & Alberta Infant RSV Protection Advocacy Group

Convened by the Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC), the British Columbia and Alberta Infant RSV Protection Advocacy Group brings together leading experts in family medicine, pediatrics, infectious disease, pediatric emergency medicine and public health to address gaps in RSV prevention.

Co-chaired by Dr. Shelley Ross and Dr. Vivien Brown, the group is focused on advancing equitable access to RSV protection, particularly for rural, remote, and Indigenous families who face the greatest burden under current policies.

The FMWC urges pregnant people to speak with their healthcare providers about RSV prevention options and calls on policymakers to help close the access gap as the upcoming 2026–2027 RSV season begins.

For more details on the FMWC position statement, please visit www.rsvprotect.ca.

About FMWC

The Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC) is a national organization recognized for its leadership and advocacy for women's evolving health. We are committed to promoting the well-being and health of women and women-identifying individuals both within the medical profession and society at large. The FMWC has a 100-year history in Canada, is a member of the non-governmental organization (NGO) section of the Department of Global Affairs at the United Nations (UN) and is a member of the Medical Women's International Association (MWIA), making us a part of the Economic and Social Council of the UN (ECOSO). For more information, please visit: www.fmwc.ca.

¹ Government of Canada. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines: Canadian Immunization Guide (updated 2026)
² Hall CB et al. Respiratory syncytial virus–associated hospitalizations among children <24 months. Pediatrics (2013)
³ Jorgensen SCJ et al. Burden of illness associated with RSV, influenza and COVID-19 in young children in Ontario. Open Forum Infectious Diseases (2024)
⁴ Government of Alberta. Respiratory virus dashboard
⁵ Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ). Changes in hospital admissions associated with pediatric respiratory syncytial virus after the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada: an active surveillance study (2026)
⁶ BORN Ontario. 2024-2025 RSV Season Data
⁷ Carazo S et al. Nirsevimab effectiveness and impact on severe RSV outcomes. The Lancet Regional Health – Americas (2026)